The crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly has taken a new turn, with Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and former Speaker Mojisola Meranda embroiled in a fresh battle over the purchase of vehicles for lawmakers.
Despite Obasa’s reelection as Speaker and Meranda’s return to her position as Deputy Speaker, the controversy surrounding the vehicle purchase has refused to die down.
At the heart of the dispute is the purchase of 32 units of 2025 Toyota Prado SUV and seven units of Toyota Landcruiser 2025, which Meranda oversaw during Obasa’s brief removal as Speaker.
Obasa had initially approved the purchase of 35 units of Toyota Fortuner SUV and 10 units of Toyota Prado from Dubai at a cost of N7 billion. However, Meranda reviewed the approval and opted for a local bidding process, saving the Assembly N2 billion.
Obasa’s camp has contended that the purchase was made without his authorization, and that Meranda’s decision to opt for a local bidding process was a departure from the original plan.
However, sources close to Meranda have defended her actions, stating that she did not withdraw any money from the Assembly’s account and only reviewed an existing procurement approval.
The dispute has also taken a legal dimension, with Obasa challenging the basis for his removal as Speaker in a suit filed at the Lagos State High Court.
Despite his reelection as Speaker, Obasa’s lawyer, Chief Fashanu Afolabi (SAN), has stated that the allegations against Obasa by the lawmakers are heavy and need to be trashed. The court has adjourned the hearing of the suit to March 17, 2025.
