A new crisis has erupted in the Lagos State House of Assembly as Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and his former deputy, Mojisola Meranda, are at odds over a ₦5 billion vehicle purchase.
The dispute began after Meranda approved the withdrawal of funds to buy 40 Toyota Land Cruiser SUVs for lawmakers while she briefly served as Speaker in January.
Meranda, who made history as the first female Speaker of the Assembly on January 13, authorized the purchase shortly after replacing Obasa, who was impeached.
However, when Obasa was reinstated on March 3, reportedly under the directive of President Bola Tinubu, he demanded that the ₦5 billion be returned, arguing that Meranda had no authority to approve the spending.
Before his removal, Obasa had planned a separate deal to acquire 45 Toyota Fortuner SUVs for lawmakers and top officials, a project estimated at ₦7 billion.
The arrangement included 40 Fortuners for lawmakers, one for the House Clerk, and four for himself and his two wives.
But Meranda’s decision to go ahead with the Land Cruiser purchase disrupted his original plan, leading to the current dispute.
Despite Obasa’s demands, lawmakers have refused to return the Land Cruisers, rejecting the Fortuner SUVs that were initially planned.
The tension has deepened divisions within the Assembly, with lawmakers who opposed Obasa’s reinstatement standing their ground against his attempts to reverse Meranda’s decision.
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