The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mrs. Mojisola Meranda, has reportedly agreed to resign but insists it must happen during a plenary session, sources confirm.
The House adjourned indefinitely on February 17 after 36 out of 40 members expressed confidence in Meranda’s leadership. However, following intervention by All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders, a decision was reached for her to step aside, allowing Lagos West to produce the next Speaker.
According to multiple sources, Meranda’s resignation must follow due process and take place when the House reconvenes. One source stated,
“If the Speaker would agree to resign, it has to be done during plenary when the House reconvenes. There are procedures for doing things like that. Madam Speaker cannot just resign like that without due process. It has to be during plenary, and until plenary is reconvened, we cannot say otherwise. We cannot say when the House will reconvene, therefore, the status quo remains.”
In an effort to resolve the crisis, APC has deployed delegates from Abuja, who are actively working to restore peace.
“They are doing everything within their power to ensure there is peace in the Assembly. Some of our leaders, including former APC National Chairman Bisi Akande, former Ogun State Governor Aremo Olusegun Osoba, and Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Pius Akinyelure, have stepped in to mediate,” a source revealed.”
Meetings between principal officers and House members have already taken place, with follow-up discussions expected soon. The delegates from Abuja are engaging stakeholders to ensure a smooth resolution.
The Speakership position has been zoned to Lagos West, with eight lawmakers shortlisted for the role. The contenders include Setonji David (Badagry Constituency 2), Temitope Adewale (Ifako-Ijaye 1), Kehinde Joseph (Alimosho 1), Adedamola Kasunmu (Ikeja 2), Lukman Olumoh (Ajeromi-Ifelodun 1), Wale Rauf Sulaimon (Mushin 2), Nureni Akinsanya (Mushin 1), and Surajudeen Tijani (Ojo 2).
