Lagos State’s political landscape has been thrust into renewed turmoil as a pro-Lagos development group, Agenda for New Lagos (ANL), has alleged a clandestine plot to overturn the impeachment of Hon. Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly. The group claims that a court judgment invalidating Obasa’s removal has already been prepared — a move they fear could undermine the integrity of both the legislative and judicial systems in the state.
In a press release signed by its Protem Chairman, Kamal Olorunnisola, ANL warned that the pre-written court judgment is set to be delivered following the hearing of Obasa’s case on Monday, March 10, 2025. This case, filed during the heat of his impeachment saga, is now at the heart of a larger controversy that threatens to shake Lagos’s political structure.
The group further accused Obasa of orchestrating a political ploy, alleging that lawmakers were misled into believing he would resign once Hon. Meranda was appointed as Speaker. However, after what they described as a “damage control re-election,” Obasa reportedly adjourned the Assembly indefinitely — a move seen by the group as a tactical delay while awaiting a favorable court ruling.
According to ANL, the anticipated court judgment would not only nullify Obasa’s impeachment but also retroactively invalidate all legislative actions taken during his absence, reinstating him as Speaker and restoring the contested Clerk of the House, Olalekan Biilamin Onafeko, to his position. The group claims Onafeko’s promotion in 2022 was fraudulent, granted through a “Special Advancement” process that bypassed standard procedures requiring the governor’s direct approval.
A letter dated July 20, 2022 — allegedly signed by Mrs. Folashade Latona on behalf of the Lagos Assembly Service Commission — approved Onafeko’s advancement to Deputy Director, effective July 1, 2022. ANL questioned the legality of Mrs. Latona’s authority to sign off on such a promotion, insisting that only the governor has the constitutional right to authorize “special advancements.”
The group’s press statement, titled “Obasa: The Ultimate End of the Drama,” painted a picture of a larger scheme to entrench Obasa’s control over the Assembly. “Once the judgment is delivered, Obasa will ensure the Assembly does not appeal the ruling, solidifying his return and invalidating Meranda’s brief tenure as Speaker,” ANL alleged.
Beyond the immediate political drama, the group has called on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), civil society organizations, and democracy advocates to remain vigilant. They warned that the ongoing power tussle in Lagos Assembly could spiral into a broader crisis, posing a threat to the state’s democratic institutions and public trust in the judiciary.
“Lagos cannot afford to be a playground for political games and judicial manipulation,” the statement read. “The stability of our democracy depends on the rule of law, not the personal ambitions of a few individuals.”
As Lagosians watch this drama unfold, the spotlight now rests on the judiciary’s handling of Obasa’s case. Will the courts uphold the Assembly’s decision, or will the alleged plot to reinstate Obasa as Speaker succeed? For many, the outcome could signal the future direction of democracy in Lagos State.
