The political stubbornness that defined the First Republic in Yorubaland appears to have resurrected in the Lagos State House of Assembly.
The late Ladoke Akintola was said to have ‘taku’ – refused to vacate the premier’s seat – after the late sage, Obafemi Awolowo, returned to regain it following his loss in the presidential election.
Ousted Speaker, Mudasiru Obasa, however, seems to be playing the Akintola card as he has not only stormed the House, he also declared he had resumed as Speaker even when the one elected after him, Mojisola Meranda, is not known to have resigned.
He stated that he has resumed his position as the parliament’s leader.
Obasa stated this on Thursday after returning to the assembly complex with police and State Security Service details for the first time since he was removed on January 13.
“I’ve resumed, and I remain the Speaker of the Assembly,” Obasa said.
Obasa, alongside security officials, had entered the Speaker’s Office around 12 noon on Thursday.
The assembly has been embroiled in a leadership crisis since Obasa’s removal as speaker and the subsequent election of Meranda.
Obasa was accused by over 90 per cent of the lawmakers of poor leadership style, perpetual lateness to legislative functions and plenary, high-handedness and disregard for colleague lawmakers and the executive, especially the governor, abuse of office and privileges, intimidation and oppression of members among others.
In an attempt to resolve the crisis, some All Progressives Congress bigwigs, notably former governors of Osun, Ogun and Lagos states, Chief Bisi Akande, Segun Osoba, and Akinwunmi Ambode, respectively, among others, on the directive of President Bola Tinubu, had a series of meetings last weekend with political stakeholders in the state including members of the assembly.
The PUNCH learnt at the end of the meetings that both Obasa and Meranda might be stepping aside for another lawmaker to lead the house.
A member of the Governors Advisory Council, Chief Muraina Taiwo, noted that one of the seven lawmakers from Lagos West was being considered by the party leaders as the new Speaker.
