The leadership crisis at the Lagos State House of Assembly has taken a new twist, as a N5 billion vehicle purchase for lawmakers has intensified the feud between Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and his deputy, Mojisola Meranda.
The controversy began during a turbulent period in the Assembly, when Obasa was removed as Speaker on January 13, 2025, following allegations of financial misappropriation and highhandedness. During his absence, Meranda, who was appointed as the interim Speaker, facilitated the purchase of 39 vehicles for lawmakers.
However, it was later revealed that Obasa had already approved N7 billion for the same purpose in December 2024, with a plan to procure the vehicles from Dubai before his removal.
Political Power Struggle
Meranda’s 49-day tenure as Speaker was marked by tension until March 3, 2025, when she resigned following the intervention of leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC). This paved the way for Obasa’s return as Speaker, with Meranda resuming her previous position as Deputy Speaker.
Despite the political resolution, legal battles persist. Obasa has taken his removal to court, challenging its legality and insisting that the allegations against him must be addressed.
The conflict between Obasa and Meranda has further deepened over the purchase of official vehicles. Obasa is reportedly furious that the cars were procured without his authorization, despite his prior approval of funds. His preferred plan was to buy the vehicles from Dubai through a bidder of his choice.
However, Meranda, after taking over as Speaker, opted for a local supplier through an open bidding process, acquiring 32 units of 2025 Toyota Prado SUVs and seven units of Toyota Land Cruisers for N5 billion—N2 billion less than Obasa’s original budget.
Obasa’s camp argues that while the funds had already been approved, the execution of the purchase should have been under his leadership. An aide to Obasa, speaking anonymously, stated:
“He had already approved the money before his removal. But Meranda went ahead to execute the purchase, which infuriated him. His plan was to buy from Dubai, but she changed the process to local suppliers. That’s where the issue is.”
A source within the Assembly added: “There is a difference between approval and execution. The money was already approved by Obasa before his removal, but Meranda took charge of the procurement process, making it open for local suppliers instead of importing the vehicles.”
On the other hand, sources close to Meranda insist that no money was misappropriated, and that her decision saved the state N2 billion while still securing high-quality vehicles.
Meanwhile, Obasa’s legal team, led by Chief Afolabi Fashanu (SAN), has emphasized that the lawsuit challenging his removal must continue, as the allegations leveled against him were serious.
“The allegations against him include highhandedness, fraudulent malpractices, and other issues. These must be addressed legally, regardless of his reinstatement,” Fashanu stated.
The case is currently before Justice Yetunde Pinheiro of the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja, with the next hearing set for March 17, 2025.
Despite the legal battles, political observers believe the rift between Obasa and Meranda is far from over, as tensions within the Assembly remain high.
