The All Progressives Congress (APC) spokesperson in Lagos State, Seye Oladejo, has once again found his voice—this time on the wrong side of justice and fair play. To the best of my knowledge, democracy died on Monday, March 3, when members of the Lagos State House of Assembly “re-elected” the constitutionally impeached Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, following the resignation of Hon. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda from the same position, which she had secured with an overall majority from the Assembly floor.
If this is the final resolution of the geopolitical shift that has caused the ruling elite sleepless nights in conducting a simple election for a Speaker, then there are two key areas of concern regarding the future of Lagos State politics.
First: When our lawmakers fail to implement a legitimate resolution of their own free will, it signals that rules and values no longer matter. Are we not witnessing the gradual collapse of democracy, where an open assault on democratic principles unfolds before our eyes? The loser becomes the winner, not through a fair election but based on an undisclosed agreement. An election hailed for its integrity has now proven to be futile. Was there an ulterior motive behind this agreement? You can bet on it.
Second: Whatever the Lagos State APC’s position may be—including its claim that “Obasa’s resignation was not part of the agreement”—this statement raises serious doubts about the legitimacy of the process and a breach of trust. Directing Hon. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda to step down and return to her former position as Deputy Speaker—despite obtaining a majority vote as Speaker in the House plenary on January 13, 2025—undermines democratic principles.
With due respect to the APC’s stance on resolving the Assembly crisis, the House members have been deprived of their democratic choice, as recent events clearly show. Conspiracy theories point toward Abuja’s power center playing a decisive role in resolving the Lagos Assembly crisis. Only time will tell whether this outcome benefits the people of Lagos State.
What further evidence is needed when APC spokesperson Mr. Oladejo himself was quoted as saying,
“To the best of my knowledge, there was no time an arrangement for Obasa to resign was included in the terms of the crisis settlement.”
A false narrative was sold to the public that Obasa would resign on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, to allow a neutral member from Lagos West to be elected as Speaker and end the leadership impasse.
Given the current political drama, Lagos State will require a new political roadmap in 2027. The indigenous people and allies must take a stand and reclaim leadership. The ruling elite appears unwilling to accommodate the indigenous people in the governance of Lagos. The removal of Hon. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda as Speaker has left a bitter taste in the mouths of many Lagosians.
Olanrewaju is former Minister of Communications & Alternate Chairman, De Renaissance Patriots Foundation
