Obasa reinstates Self as Lagos Assembly Speaker

Mudashiru Obasa has reinstated himself as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

Obasa made the announcement on Thursday after returning to the parliament for the first time since he was removed on January 13.

“I’ve resumed and I remain the Speaker of the Assembly,” Obasa said after storming the parliament with police and State Security Service detail.

It was unclear how the politician arrived at the decision. He was impeached on January 13 by an overwhelming majority of Lagos lawmakers.

He was replaced with Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, who became the first female Speaker of the Lagos Assembly.

Although Meranda has been unable to assume full control of the parliament for several weeks, no fresh leadership election was held to reinstate Obasa as Speaker. He filed a lawsuit against his removal, but the courts have not decided on the controversy.

The development marks the latest escalation in the political crisis that has engulfed the Lagos Assembly for several weeks. It is an unusual turn in a state known for its unique ability to have all politicians move in political lockstep.