Meranda set to step down as Lagos House of Assembly Speaker

The leadership crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly has taken a new turn as Hon. Mojisola Meranda is set to step down from her position as Speaker and return to her former role as Deputy Speaker. A meeting of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) is scheduled for Monday in Lagos to select three lawmakers from the Lagos West Senatorial District. One of them will be chosen as the new Speaker to replace Hon. Mudashiru Obasa. On January 13, 32 out of 40 Assembly members voted to remove Obasa over allegations of fraud and high-handedness. eranda was then appointed as Speaker. However, reports indicate that the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership was not in favour of this decision. Meanwhile, Obasa’s removal is considered final and he will not be reinstated. Instead, the focus is now on selecting a new Speaker from Lagos West, the same senatorial district as Obasa. There are currently eight experienced lawmakers from the district being considered for the position. The lawmakers in contention include Hon. Setonji David (Badagry 2), Hon. Temitope Adewale (Ifako-Ijaye 1), Hon. Kehinde Joseph (Alimosho 1), Hon. Richard Kasunmu (Ikeja 2), Hon. Lukmon Olumoh (Ajeromi-Ifelodun 1), Hon. Age Sulaimon (Amuwo-Odofin 2), Hon. Surajudeen Tijani (Ojo 2), and Hon. Nureni Akinsanya (Mushin 2) The GAC’s decision will determine the next step in resolving the ongoing leadership dispute in the Assembly.