A fresh crisis is unfolding in the Lagos State House of Assembly as Speaker Mudashiru Obasa is pressuring his deputy, Mojisola Meranda, to return N5 billion she approved for the purchase of luxury vehicles for lawmakers during her brief tenure as speaker.
Sources familiar with the matter told Peoples Gazette that the dispute stems from Ms Meranda’s decision to authorize the withdrawal of N5 billion from the assembly’s account to procure 40 units of 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser SUVs—one for each lawmaker—just days after she replaced Mr Obasa following his short-lived impeachment in January.
Mr Obasa, who had originally planned to purchase 45 Toyota Fortuner SUVs, including four for himself and his two wives, was reinstated as speaker on March 3 following pressure from President Bola Tinubu. Upon returning, he demanded that Ms Meranda reverse the transaction, arguing she had no right to approve the withdrawal.
Lawmakers, however, are resisting Mr Obasa’s directive, refusing to return the luxury Land Cruisers in exchange for the Fortuner SUVs he had planned to purchase. The growing tension has further divided the assembly, with many members opposing Mr Obasa’s reinstatement and unwilling to comply with his demand.
Observers say the standoff threatens to deepen the power struggle within the Lagos Assembly, as Obasa seeks to reassert control while lawmakers push back against his authority.
