The Recent Leadership Crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly

Fellow Lagosians,

We all witnessed the unfortunate developments surrounding the leadership of the Lagos State House of Assembly. While the issues at play may have appeared complex, in a well functioning government they would have been straightforward. I wish to use this medium to address four key groups.

To the Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly:

You are each elected to represent the voice of the people of Lagos in government. By the office you occupy, Lagosians clothed you with the authority and charged you with the responsibility to represent their interests with integrity and courage. Your collective and decisive action to remove Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa and appoint Hon. Mojisola Meranda as Speaker therefore represented the voice of the people on this matter.

The recent dramatic reversal of that decision under pressure from the APC leadership will not go unnoticed. It stands as a betrayal of the trust reposed in you by the electorate and a submission to vested interests over the democratic will of the people. In not remaining steadfast, you have failed in your primary duty of representation.

To Honorable Mojisola Meranda:

Your mandate was clear. Your peers chose you, by a margin well beyond the constitutional requirement to lead as the first female Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly. This was not just about a political appointment; it was a defining moment of historical significance and a test of democratic integrity and representation.

For the sake of democracy, for the people of Lagos, and for women everywhere, you should have stood firm. Lagosians stood with you. Sadly, painfully and regrettably you chose to resign.

To the APC Leadership and its unelected GAC

You insisted on opposing the democratic will of the people by opposing the decisions of their elected representatives, and there will be consequences. Democracy is not a tool for the benefit of a few or for personal convenience, it belongs to the people. Those who undermine it should know that they will reckon with the verdict of history. Truly, Aja to ma sonu, ko ni gbo fere ode. (A hunting dog destined to be lost will not heed the hunter’s whistle.)

To My Fellow Lagosians:

We have just witnessed dysfunctional government in action. Moments like these remind us why we must never be bystanders in elections or the governance process. We must remain vigilant and intentional in electing strong leaders who will truly serve our collective interests in good faith and not operate as agents of others.

This crisis may pass, but it must not be in vain. Let us take its lessons to heart and ensure we do not repeat its mistakes.

Funso Doherty