By Ayo Kehinde
The Lagos State House of Assembly has passed a vote of confidence on Speaker Mojisola Meranda.
The House’s confidence in Meranda’s leadership follows a motion by Oladipo Ajomale, the lawmaker representing Oshodi-Isolo Constituency 2, moved at the plenary session on Monday.
Seconded by Aro Moshood, Ajomale said the lawmakers have elected the Speaker and that they are confident that she is the perfect leader the House needs at this time.
Meranda was elected as the first female speaker of the Lagos legislature on January 13, 2025, following the impeachment of Mudashiru Obasa. Her appointment led to the dissolution of all principal positions and committees within the house.
However, upon returning to Nigeria, Obasa challenged the legitimacy of his removal, insisting that due process was not followed and maintaining that he remained the rightful speaker.
Initial reports noted heavy security presence at the assembly complex in Alausa, Ikeja. Early Monday morning, police and task force personnel surrounded the premises, while the offices of the speaker, her deputy, and the clerk of the house were locked.
Contrary to reports by a section of the media that Department of State Services (DSS) officers stormed the Lagos State House of Assembly, sealing offices of the Speaker and his deputy, it was the Assembly that invited security agents to maintain order.
It was the leadership of the Assembly that invited the security men, fearing a breakdown of law and order following ex- Speaker Mudashiru Obasa’s determination to reclaim his position.
In a letter dated 14th February, 2025, the Assembly management told Security Agencies in Lagos that, there was credible information that plans were afoot to forcefully reinstate the impeached Speaker of the State Assembly on the 18th February, 2025.
This, noted the Assembly management, posed “a potential security threat to the Assembly and its members.”
The letter, entitled URGENT: ENHANCED SECURITY MEASURES FOR LSHA PREMISES, with reference LSHA/FAD/0/7554/323, was signed by the Acting Clerk of the Assembly, Mr. A. T. B. Ottun and addressed to the DSS Director in the State, as well as the heads of other security agencies in Lagos State.
Despite the tense atmosphere, Meranda received a warm welcome upon arriving at the assembly complex, greeted by cheers and applause from lawmakers and staff.
