The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa was, on Monday, removed from office after he was impeached for gross misconduct and abuse of office by his fellow lawmakers.
The lawmakers also elected the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, as the Speaker. Representing Apapa I state constituency, 44-year-old Meranda is the first Speaker of the House.
Obasa has represented Agege Constituency I in the Assembly since 2007 and has been the speaker since 2015.
His removal as the Speaker is believed to have the backing of the state governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who has been having a silent battle with Obasa.
Taking her oath of office, Meranda said: “I affirm that I will be faithful as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly; that I will perform my functions honestly to the best of my ability, faithfully, and in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.
As of the time of this report, dozens of police officers were deployed to the Assembly’s premises to prevent the breakdown of law and order.