The Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has decried the leadership crisis and chaos in the State House of Assembly, which on Monday witnessed the reinstatement of the impeached Speaker Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, following the resignation of Hon. Mojisola Meranda Lasbat from office, describing it as an eyesore and embarrassment that not only brought a setback to the state but also to the nation’s democracy.
The PDP Vice Chairman (Lagos Central), Mr Hakeem Olalemi, expressed this concern in a statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday, saying that the leadership tussle, which had seen both Honourables Mudashiru Obasa and Mojisola Meranda laying claim to the position of Speaker, threw the legislative arm into disarray.
The PDP chieftain sadly noted that the leadership crisis, while it lasted, stagnated the state for about two months, saying that it was time for a new initiative in the governance of Lagos State, and time for Lagosians to free themselves by electing a party that is truly democratic and would allow them to aspire for any position without interference.
“The crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly is nothing short of an eyesore and an embarrassment to democracy in Lagos State.
“The leadership tussle, which has seen both Mudashiru Obasa and Mojisola Meranda laying claim to the position of Speaker, threw the legislative arm into disarray.
“It is sad that the situation was further complicated by the presence of two clerks of the assembly, each asserting authority.
The Assembly has been unable to function effectively, with staff being directed to work remotely to ensure their safety.
“The situation in the Lagos State House of Assembly can be seen as a manifestation of the ‘sit-tight syndrome’ within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
“This phenomenon, where political leaders cling to power at all costs, has led to stagnation in the party’s developmental initiatives, prioritising personal gains for cronies over the welfare of the people,” he said.
“This is the time for the people of Lagos to free themselves by electing a party that is truly democratic and a party that will allow them to aspire for any position without interference.
“It is time for a new initiative in the governance of Lagos State,” he added.
Speaking further, Olalemi said that the leadership crisis in Lagos Assembly had exposed deep cracks within the state’s power dynamics, revealing a lack of cohesion and effective conflict resolution mechanisms within the ruling government.
According to him, the chaotic scenario has tarnished the image of the ruling party, declaring it was a significant setback for the APC government in Lagos State.
The PDP chieftain said the crisis had eroded public trust and sent a wrong signal to the aspiring youth, highlighting the urgent need for effective conflict resolution and a renewed commitment to democratic principles and good governance.
He reiterated the need for people of the state to see this crisis as a signal for the need to change the APC as a party in Lagos State, saying that the ruling APC had become redundant and lacked “new governance initiatives to drive the economy of the state and improve the welfare of its people rather they are on the self-aggrandizement mission.”
It would be recalled that the crisis that rocked the Lagos State House of Assembly began with the removal of Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker of the Lagos Assembly on 13 January 2025, amid allegations of abuse of office and misconduct.
Thirty-two of the 40-member legislative arm impeached Obasa and replaced him with his deputy, Rt. Hon. Mojisola Meranda.
The crisis was, however, finally resolved on Monday, following the intervention of key political figures and the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), with the reinstatement of the impeached Speaker Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa back to office.
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