Former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has taken legal action to challenge his removal, filing a lawsuit at the Lagos State High Court to demand his reinstatement.
According to court documents obtained by Peoples Gazette, Obasa argues that his impeachment on January 13, 2025, was unlawful.
The suit, filed on February 14, 2025, names the current Speaker, Lasbat Mojisola Meranda, and the Lagos State House of Assembly as defendants.
His legal challenge follows multiple unsuccessful political negotiations between Lagos and Abuja aimed at resolving the leadership dispute.
Despite President Bola Tinubu’s directive for Obasa’s reinstatement, the crisis remains unresolved, with lawmakers reportedly hesitant due to concerns over possible retaliation if he regains power.
Obasa’s lawsuit questions the legality of the plenary session that led to his removal, asserting that it was improperly convened during the Assembly’s recess without formal authorization. The filing states:
“The action challenged the sitting and proceedings of the Lagos State House of Assembly to sit during recess without reconvening the House or giving any other person powers to reconvene the House.”
He contends that the impeachment violated several provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), including Sections 36, 90(2)(c), 101, and 311, as well as the House’s Standing Orders, particularly Order V Rule 18(2) and Order II Rule 9(i-viii).
The leadership crisis has intensified despite President Tinubu’s insistence on Obasa’s return.
Frustrated by the ongoing impasse, Tinubu reportedly refused to meet with members of the Lagos APC’s Governance Advisory Council (GAC), accusing them of disregarding his directive.
However, resistance within the party remains strong. Muraina Akanbi Taiwo, a GAC member, firmly opposed efforts to reinstate Obasa, stating: “Moves to reinstate Mr. Obasa would be rejected. Mr. Tinubu is not God in the state.”