Controversy surrounds the purchase of N5bn worth of vehicles for 40 lawmakers at the Lagos State House of Assembly, deepening the feud between Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and former Speaker Mojisola Meranda. Reports indicate that Meranda led the purchase of 39 vehicles for the lawmakers during the period when Obasa was removed as Speaker. However, it was revealed that Obasa had approved N7bn for the same purpose in December 2024, with plans in motion before he was ousted on January 13, 2025, by 35 of the 40 lawmakers over allegations of highhandedness and financial misappropriation. Meranda, who was then made Speaker, presided over the House for 49 days until March 3, when she resigned following the intervention of All Progressives Congress leaders. Obasa was re-elected as Speaker, and Meranda returned to her position as Deputy Speaker. Despite the political intervention, the crisis persists as Meranda and the Assembly face legal battles from Obasa in the state High Court, where he challenges the basis for his removal. Obasa contends that the vehicles were purchased without his authorization, as he had planned to buy them from Dubai through his preferred bidder. An aide to Obasa, who requested anonymity, stated, “He had approved the money before his removal. But Meranda proceeded with buying them, a move that infuriated Obasa.” Another source in the Assembly added, “In December, Obasa approved the purchase of those vehicles. But for him, the vehicles were to be bought from Dubai. When Meranda took over, she made it an open bidding. They weren’t bought in Dubai anymore. That is just the difference.” Meranda’s spokesperson, Victor Ganzallo, mentioned that an official statement would be issued. A source close to Meranda, who also requested anonymity, stated that Meranda saved N2bn by purchasing 32 units of 2025 Toyota Prado SUVs and seven units of 2025 Toyota Landcruisers for N5bn, rather than the N7bn budgeted by Obasa. “Let it be known that Rt. Hon. Mojisola Meranda never made any withdrawal from the account of LAHA; rather, she only made a downward review of an existing procurement approval by Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa. In doing that, she saved the assembly the sum of N2 billion,” the source said. Obasa’s lawyer, Chief Fashanu Afolabi (SAN), explained why Obasa continues the legal battle against Meranda and the Assembly despite his re-election as Speaker. He stated, “Because there are some issues that are still pending within the context of notice of allegation. The case of allegation contains reasons for the impeachment which include highhandedness, fraudulent malpractices and the rest and we feel that those issues must be trashed out.” Justice Yetunde Pinheiro of the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja adjourned the hearing of Obasa’s suit to March 17, 2025. The court had previously scheduled the hearing for March 10, 2025, but counsel for the House of Assembly, Femi Falana (SAN), informed the court that Obasa’s legal team had served further affidavits on the same day.
