History was made and then swiftly rewritten as Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, the first female Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, resigned on Monday after a brief 49-day tenure.
Her departure, along with that of the Deputy Speaker, Chief Whip, and Deputy Chief Whip, plunged the Assembly into a moment of emotional upheaval, leaving lawmakers and staff visibly distraught.
The sudden resignations, which included Fatai Mojeed (Deputy Speaker), David Setonji (Chief Whip), and Sanni Okanlawon (Deputy Chief Whip), occurred during a plenary session that quickly became a scene of both admiration and sorrow.
Lawmakers showered Meranda with accolades, praising her as a “hero of democracy,” “kind,” “compassionate,” “respectful,” “responsible,” “intelligent,” and “fair.” She was repeatedly hailed as a “role model” for women and girls.
The emotional atmosphere was palpable, particularly as Desmond Elliot, a fellow lawmaker, rose to speak, only to be overcome by tears and unable to utter a word. Abiodun Tobun, representing Epe Constituency 1, congratulated the former Speaker, eulogising her exemplary character.
The plenary session was also attended by key figures from the All Progressives Congress (APC), including Lagos APC Chairman, Cornelius Ojelade, Deputy Chairman, Michael Mayegun, and other party leaders. Many of these attendees, including Adeola Jokonba, Samuel Akiode, Mogaji Ola Aina Lawal, Sabur Oluwa, and Olaide Ajayi, were visibly moved.
Immediately following the resignations, the House swiftly renominated a new executive. David Setonji was reinstated as Deputy Chief Whip, Richard Kasumu was nominated as Deputy Majority Leader, Adewale Temitope as Majority Leader, and Mojeed Fatai as Chief Whip.
Meranda’s brief tenure began on January 13, 2025, following the impeachment of former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa. The impeachment motion, brought forward by Femi Saheed under Matters of Urgent Public Importance, cited allegations of financial misconduct, abuse of office, and authoritarian leadership.
The motion was unanimously adopted by 32 out of 40 members, leading to Obasa’s removal. Obasa, who had served as Speaker since 2015, had faced numerous controversies, including accusations of high-handedness and misuse of public funds.
