The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mojisola Meranda, has dismissed reports suggesting that she has resigned from her position.
Meranda’s Chief Press Secretary, Segun Ajiboye, refuted the claim on Wednesday, stating that the Speaker remains in office and continues to perform her duties.
“I’m in the office. The Speaker is in the office. I don’t know where that is coming from,” Ajiboye told journalists.
The rumour began circulating after an online report suggested that Meranda had stepped down. A letter dated February 17, 2025, also surfaced on social media, claiming she had resigned. However, investigations revealed that the letter was unsigned, raising doubts about its authenticity.
The Lagos Assembly has been embroiled in a crisis since the removal of former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa by a majority of lawmakers. Meranda was elected as his replacement on January 13, but Obasa has rejected his ouster and taken legal action, insisting that he remains the Speaker.
Tensions escalated further on Monday when operatives of the Department of State Services and the police stormed the assembly complex, sealing off the offices of the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and Clerk. Reports indicated that security operatives prevented Meranda from accessing her office for over an hour.
Lawmakers and assembly staff reacted by staging a protest, chanting slogans in support of Meranda. The situation intensified when DSS operatives attempted to enter the legislative chamber, leading to a confrontation with some assembly workers.
During plenary, lawmakers condemned the security intervention, calling on President Bola Tinubu to intervene. Assembly spokesperson Stephen Ogundipe described the incident as a “rape on democracy.”
Amid the standoff, Kazeem Osho, representing Mushin 2, reportedly suffered distress and had to be rushed to the hospital for medical attention.
Hon. Sabur Oluwa of Ajeromi-Ifelodun 2 criticized the security action, stating, “We are elected by the people to serve their interests. If we believe our Speaker is not serving those interests, we have the right to elect another. This should not be met with harassment. This is democracy.”
Similarly, Gbolahan Ogunleye of Ikorodu 1 denounced the security presence and urged the DSS to investigate those responsible for the assembly’s invasion.
To quell the speculations surrounding Meranda’s alleged resignation, the assembly passed a vote of confidence in her leadership. The motion was moved by Oladipo Ajomale of Oshodi-Isolo Constituency 2 and seconded by Ogunleye.
Following this, Majority Leader Temitope Adewale moved a motion to adjourn plenary indefinitely, which was approved by the lawmakers.
