The Lagos State House of Assembly witnessed a dramatic change on January 14, 2025, with the impeachment of longtime Speaker Mudashiru Obasa. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, the former deputy speaker, was unanimously elected as Obasa's successor, becoming the first female Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly since 1999.
On Monday, January 14, 2025, the political landscape of Lagos State shifted dramatically. After a decade at the helm, the reign of Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa as the Speaker of the Lagos House of Assembly came to an abrupt end. The decision, swift and unanimous, was made by the lawmakers, leaving Obasa 's future uncertain. The events unfolded with a sense of inevitability, as though the decision had been long in the making.
Several factors likely contributed to Obasa's downfall, including allegations of corruption and mismanagement. In recent months, there had been growing public pressure on the lawmakers to remove him from office. The impeachment proceedings were swift and decisive, with no room for resistance. Adding another layer to the drama, a group of youths who had trespassed into the assembly complex to protest Obasa's tenure were forced to pledge their allegiance to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) amidst campaign songs and slogans.The abrupt departure of Obasa created a power vacuum, quickly filled by Mojisola Lasbat Meranda. Elected unanimously as the new Speaker, Meranda, a 44-year-old seasoned politician, previously served as the deputy speaker under Obasa. She makes history as the first female Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly since 1999. Born Mojisola Ojora Lawal, Meranda is a princess with lineage tracing back to several prominent Lagos royal families. Her father, Taoreed Lawal-Akapo, was the late Ojora of Lagos, and her mother, Muinat, was a princess from the renowned Oniru kingdom. Her brother, Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, is the current Oniru of the Iru kingdom. Politics has always been a part of Meranda's life. She recalls growing up in a political environment, surrounded by siblings who were actively involved in the field. Meranda's political journey began at the young age of 18, attending ward meetings with her brothers and cousins. Her leadership qualities were evident even in her school days, serving as a leader in both Lagos Anglican Girls Grammar School and Ansar-Ud-Deen Secondary School.Her initial ambition was to become a lawyer, a dream she later shelved due to not meeting the required entry scores. However, her passion for law led her to pursue a diploma course. Meranda's professional career took off at 23 when she became the personal assistant to Olumuyiwa Gbadegesin, a senior special assistant on information and technology to Bola Tinubu, then the Lagos State governor. This role provided her with invaluable experience and connections in the political landscape. She later obtained an advanced certificate in software development and worked briefly at Cirrus Nigeria Ltd, an energy company. Her dedication and exemplary work earned her a significant promotion in 2008 when she was appointed the senior special assistant on inter-governance relations to Ayodeji Joseph, the chairman of Apapa LGA. During Joseph's second tenure, she was further appointed as his supervisory councillor for health, a position she held with distinction.In 2013, she graduated with her first degree in public administration from Lagos State University. Meranda's political ascent continued in 2015 when she was elected into the Lagos State House of Assembly, representing the Apapa 1 constituency. She became one of only four women in the 40-member house inaugurated by former governor Akinwunmi Ambode. In 2019, she was re-elected and became the chief whip in 2020. She also served as the chairperson of the house committee on women’s affairs and poverty alleviation
LAGOS SPEAKER IMPEACHMENT MOJISOLA MERANDA POLITICS WOMEN IN POLITICS LASG HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY OBASA APC
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