On January 13, 2025, Mudashiru Obasa was impeached as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly over allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of office. The impeachment was swift and decisive, executed in his absence while he was away in abroad. Obasa impeachment, was move that signaled the high stakes and intense power struggles within Lagos politics.
In his place, the Assembly elected Mojisola Meranda as the new Speaker, making history as the first female to hold the position in Lagos State. Her emergence was seen by some as a breath of fresh air, a potential shift in the political dynamics of the state. But for Obasa and his supporters, the battle was far from over.
Undeterred, Obasa rejected his removal, calling it illegal, unconstitutional, and a violation of due process. He made it clear that he intended to reclaim his position, setting the stage for a high-stakes political showdown.
Fast forward to Monday, March 3, 2025—Obasa has successfully returned as Speaker, while Mojisola Meranda was ‘forced’ to resign. His comeback is nothing short of remarkable, raising serious questions about the true power structures at play in Lagos politics.
So, how powerful and influential is Mudashiru Obasa? His dramatic impeachment and reinstatement underscore the intricate nature of Lagos politics, where influence extends far beyond the chambers of the State House of Assembly. From the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) to the Lagos State Government and even the corridors of the Presidency, the tug-of-war over his position suggests that Obasa either commands immense political capital or enjoys the backing of even more formidable forces.
Whatever the intricacies, backroom negotiations, and political power plays that unfolded behind closed doors, one thing is clear—Obasa has proven a point. He is either a man of extraordinary political resilience and influence, or the power brokers behind him have an iron grip on the mechanics of Lagos politics.
Obasa return as Speaker is not just a personal victory but a reflection of the deep-seated structures that define power in Lagos, Nigeria’s most economically significant state.
The events of the past weeks in Lagos politics have reinforced a fundamental truth: in Nigerian politics, true power is not just about holding an office—it’s about the ability to understand power and how to use it.
 Zayyad I. Muhammad writes from Abuja, zaymohd@yahoo.com, 08036070980
