The alleged directive by President Bola Tinubu to the Lagos State House of Assembly members to reinstate embattled Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker has been dismissed as “fake news,” aimed at distracting the newly elected Speaker, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda.
This follows a report by an online platform that went viral on Sunday, attracting a series of reactions from the public.
A report claimed that President Bola Tinubu had pressured members of the Lagos State House of Assembly to reinstate embattled Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker, just three weeks after his removal. According to the report, Tinubu suggested that the political cost of Obasa’s removal might outweigh the benefits of addressing his alleged corruption and abuse of office.
A senior Lagos politician, who took part in several meetings over the weekend, allegedly told media outlets: “The president has sent instruction that we should start preparing to let him come back. The president said Obasa will spend only a short time before resigning on his terms.”
However, some lawmakers expressed strong opposition to Obasa’s return, especially those who were involved in his removal. One source was quoted as saying, “We’re afraid that bringing him back will be like trying to pacify a snake after its head was severed. Its venom will be super deadly.”
The Lagos State House of Assembly has been under scrutiny since January 13, when Obasa was ousted and replaced by the current Speaker, Princess Mojisola Lasbat Meranda.
Obasa was removed by 32 of the 40 members of the Assembly, who faulted his leadership style for misconduct, misappropriation of funds, breach of public trust and highhandedness. There have been so many desperate attempts by Obasa to return to power.
In response to the report, a lawmaker, speaking anonymously, dismissed it as “fake news.” The lawmaker pointed out that Speaker Mojisola Lasbat Meranda had already met with President Tinubu, the Lagos State Governor, the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), and past members of the Lagos State House of Assembly from the 1st to the 9th Assemblies, among others.
“There have also been numerous courtesy calls and endorsements of Mojisola Lasbat Meranda’s election as the first female Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly since the week of her election, further affirming the legitimacy of her position,” the lawmaker said.
The circulation of the fake news, the lawmaker added, has sparked curiosity among political observers, enthusiasts, and citizens who are questioning whether Obasa is being “protected from above” or if it’s just a media stunt from a sore loser.
“Lagos lawmakers are solidly behind the leadership of Rt Hon. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, who was constitutionally elected,” the source emphasized.
However, an aide to Meranda, under anonymity, declined to make any official comment, saying the new Speaker was focused on the task ahead and would not be distracted by “cheap talks and mere speculations to cause confusion over leadership change of the assembly.”
