Politics

Lagos assembly crisis: Plot to remove Meranda as speaker thickens

Published

1 year ago

February 10, 2025

There are indications that the camp of the embattled ex-speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, is plotting to remove the incumbent Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, at any moment.

The indications emerged over the weekend when an inside source confided in Vanguard.

According to the source, after a series of failed attempts to remove Meranda since her emergence on January 13, 2025, there have been a series of permutations to relaunch embattled Obasa to power.

The latest plot is to elect a lawmaker from the West, preferably from Ikeja, after the Ifako-Ijaiye candidate declined the offer, along with others who have restated unalloyed loyalty to Meranda.

APC leaders, with a soft spot for Obasa, are currently plotting to see to the emergence of a proxy speaker from the Ikeja constituency and, after a few weeks, relinquish positions to pave the way for Obasa’s emergence. Obasa, in turn, is expected to resign for a popular candidate as speaker.

Meanwhile, members of the state House of Assembly have again, for the umpteenth time, expressed unalloyed support for Meranda, not minding whose ox is gored.

“Why’s no one focusing on the role of Abuja in trying to reinstate him, even with all the infractions and behaving like the elected members must get clearance from Abuja, especially at this stage of our democracy? The matter is being unnecessarily overflogged.

“They even tried to install a proxy to bring him back in a few months.

“Someone making deductions from the allowances of staff, even junior staff, and his colleagues. They behave like they benefit from his negative behavior,” an APC chieftain lamented under anonymity.

Also, a public critic, Benjamin Mokwunye, in his article “Time to move on,” released at the weekend, said, “There are indications that in one form or the other the Governance (or Governor’s) Advisory Council (GAC) was involved in the removal, perhaps even sanctioning it.

“The council may be an extra-constitutional body, but it has remained influential since it was set up under the Bola Tinubu governorship.
“Soon after Obasa was unseated, his successor, Mojisola Meranda, visited the GAC and received their blessing.

“Their assent, as well as the visit, should have been more nuanced, lest many analysts begin to squirm over the role of the council, even believing erroneously that it was behind the putsch.

“But since the mistake was made, the GAC and the Assembly have battled to sustain the action the state’s lawmakers took against Obasa.

“It has turned out that a few members of the GAC, perhaps three or four out of about 24 have balked at the former speaker’s removal, but regardless of the stridency of their voices and protests, they have been unable to give traction to their reservations.

“There are speculations about APC, hierarchs wanting to return Obasa to his seat, but no one is sure the rumours are not just amateur name-dropping or red herring.

“The procedure adopted by the lawmakers to remove Obasa was democratic.

“His removal over alleged financial misappropriation, misconduct, and high-handedness cannot be downplayed.

“Indeed, the lawmakers could even remove him if they happened to take a dislike to him at any time and any point.

“It is unclear what role the GAC played in the removal beyond merely asserting it.

“If the party and its hierarchs begin to nitpick over such removals, ignoring the sensibilities of the lawmakers and overplaying their hands, they risk alienating the rank and file.

“But public analysts and critics observed that the removal may upset the political permutations of the party, but they would be courting disfavor, if not disaster, to insist on reinstating him.

“If the removal blindsided them, they must find intelligent and democratic ways of closing ranks and regaining control of the party and the legislature.
“Obasa makes it hard for party leaders and members to defend or back him.

Regardless of his misunderstanding with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, his response to the governor’s budget presentation on November 21 exhibited poor judgement and a lack of grace and understanding.
“It is uncertain whether party leaders looked deeper than the surface of his leadership; but the near unanimity of opinion against him by most of his colleagues, past and present, speaks to the poor choice they made of him when they first elected him speaker nearly 10 years ago.

“The GAC and the party must now move beyond Obasa.
Their speakership choices have not always been flawless, as evidenced by their election and sustenance of the former speaker.

“It is disturbing that the GAC and the party have hemmed and hawed over a fairly straightforward matter. Mr Sanwo-Olu himself has kept discretely silent so as not to be accused of having a hand in the removal of his combative nemesis,” among others.
Lawmakers hail Tinubu
Recall that lawmakers hailed and listed some achievements of the Tinubu-led administration last Friday

Politics

Desmond Elliot Withdraws from APC Lagos Assembly Primaries, Cites Intimidation

Published

3 hours ago

May 21, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Surulere I lawmaker Desmond Elliot has withdrawn from the All Progressives Congress Lagos House of Assembly primaries, citing intimidation across multiple zones.

In a viral video posted online, the lawmaker said he was stepping out of the race despite seeking re-election under the APC. He alleged that his supporters faced intimidation during the process in several parts of the constituency.

Elliot’s decision came as the primaries held across Lagos on Tuesday. Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, who represents Surulere Federal Constituency, praised the conduct of the exercise in Surulere, describing it as peaceful.

The withdrawal narrows the contest for the APC ticket in Surulere I ahead of the 2027 general election. Party officials in Lagos have not yet responded to Elliot’s claims, and the APC state chapter has not announced whether the primary in the constituency will proceed with other aspirants.

Elliot has represented Surulere I in the Lagos State House of Assembly since 2015.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYkCaAiMxxt/?igsh=ZWw5czl6MHJhNnRy

Politics

Political Shockwave in Rivers as Fubara Pulls Out of APC Governorship Race, Backs Party’s Candidate

Published

3 hours ago

May 21, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has officially withdrawn from the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries scheduled to take place on Thursday, a development that has stirred fresh political conversations across the state.

The governor announced his decision in a personally signed statement titled “My Decision to Withdraw from the Rivers State Gubernatorial Primaries,” which was released on Wednesday night.

In the statement, Fubara explained that his withdrawal followed wide consultations with political associates, stakeholders, and supporters. He stated that the decision was taken in the overall interest of peace, unity, and stability within the APC and Rivers State at large.

According to the governor, politics should not be allowed to divide the people or create unnecessary tension within the party. He stressed that preserving unity among party members and maintaining stability in the state remain more important than personal political ambition.

Fubara further pledged his total loyalty and support to whoever eventually emerges as the APC governorship candidate, assuring party faithful that he remains committed to the success and progress of the party ahead of the next general elections.

The Rivers governor also appreciated his supporters across the state for standing by him throughout the political process. He thanked party leaders, youth groups, women supporters, and political associates who had continued to show him solidarity and encouragement.

He urged his supporters not to see his withdrawal as the end of his political journey, but rather as a decision made in the collective interest of the party and the state. He also appealed to them to remain peaceful, united, and committed to the ideals of the APC.

Political observers have described the development as one of the biggest political surprises in Rivers State in recent times, especially considering the growing speculations and intense political alignments ahead of the governorship primaries.

Analysts believe the governor’s withdrawal may reshape the political calculations within the APC and influence the direction of the party’s governorship race moving forward.

The announcement has continued to generate mixed reactions from political stakeholders and residents across Rivers State. While some supporters described the move as strategic and mature, others expressed surprise over the governor’s sudden exit from the contest.

Several party faithful, however, commended Fubara for placing party unity and stability above personal ambition, noting that his decision may help reduce internal tensions and strengthen the APC ahead of the elections.

The development has also intensified attention on the remaining aspirants contesting for the APC governorship ticket, as consultations and political meetings continue ahead of the primary election.

Many observers believe the governor’s endorsement of the eventual APC candidate could play a major role in shaping the outcome of the party’s governorship battle and future political structure in the state.

As political activities continue to gather momentum in Rivers State, all eyes are now on the APC primaries and the next phase of political developments expected to unfold in the coming days.

Politics

Ugochukwu Obodo wins Owerri Municipal APC ticket again as APC Elects 27 Imo Assembly Candidates After Successful Primaries

Published

3 hours ago

May 21, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

The leadership and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State have successfully elected 27 candidates who emerged victorious during the recently concluded Imo State House of Assembly primary elections conducted across the 305 wards of the State.

In a statement obtained by ThePressman Newspaper, the leadership of Imo APC described the primary election exercise as peaceful, transparent, credible, and reflective of the democratic ideals and internal cohesion of the party.

The information from the party commended party faithful, delegates, stakeholders, and supporters for their maturity, discipline, unity, and sportsmanship throughout the electoral process, noting that the successful conduct of the primaries further demonstrated the organizational strength and readiness of the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to the statement, the outcome of the primaries reaffirmed the confidence reposed in the party by members across the State, while also positioning the APC for a formidable outing in the forthcoming elections.

The Imo APC leadership warmly congratulated the party’s standard bearers who emerged across the 27 State Constituencies, namely:

Uchenna Osigwe – Orsu LGA
Chantel Adanna Onwumere – Ikeduru
Obodo Ugochukwu – Owerri Municipal
Hon. Ernest Udeze – Ideato North
Godspower Onyeibe – Ideato South
Mrs Julie Egbo – Owerri North
Rt. Hon. Kanayo Onyemaechi – Owerri West
Prince Marcel Amadioha – Ohaji Egbema
Hon. Gilbert Nwosu – Oguta
Hon. Uche Obiozor – Oru East
Hon. Emeka Agbor – Oru West
Rt. Hon. Obinna Egu – Ngor-Okpala
Hon. Magnus Okolie – Orlu
Hon. Innocent Ikpamezie – Mbaitoli
Hon. Modestus Osakwe – Isu
Hon.Ebonine Ozioma Worship – Njaba
Rt Hon Amarachi Chyna Iwuanyanwu – Nwangele
Hon. Chisom Ojukwu – Nkwerre
Hon. Doris Anyanwu – Ahiazu Mbaise
Hon. Princewill Amuchie – Aboh Mbaise
Hon. Henry Agbasonu – Ezinihitte Mbaise
Hon. Sam Osuji – Isiala Mbano
Ben Ozoemenam – Ehime Mbano
Hon. Emeka Okoronkwo – Okigwe
Prince Humphrey Okeke – Obowo
Lady Blessing Nwoba – Ihitte-Uboma
Hon. Chibuzor Umunnakwe – Onuimo
The party further expressed confidence that the emergence of the candidates would strengthen the APC’s chances of securing victory across the State during the 2027 general elections.