The Lagos State House of Assembly feud between Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and former Speaker Mojisola Meranda has been deepened following the purchase of N5bn vehicles for 40 lawmakers.
Chronicle NG gathered that Meranda purportedly led the purchase of about 39 vehicles for the lawmakers during the period Obasa was removed as Speaker.
However, it was also revealed that Obasa had approved N7 billion for the same reason in December 2024, with plans in motion, before being removed on January 13, 2025, by around 35 of the 40 legislators in the House over claims of highhandedness and financial theft, among others.
Meranda, who was then elected Speaker by the legislators, ruled over a tumultuous House for 49 days before resigning on March 3 following the intervention of All Progressives Congress leaders.
Obasa was reelected as Speaker, and Meranda returned to her position as Deputy Speaker.
However, the crisis persists, as Obasa continues to challenge the basis for his removal in the state High Court.
Despite political intervention from party stakeholders, the Speaker’s contention in court remains ongoing.
Amid the legal struggle is a dispute between the two regarding the purchase of the automobiles with funds removed from the Assembly’s account while Obasa was away.
According to sources familiar with the situation, Obasa is contesting the purchase of the vehicles without his permission, as the Speaker had planned to purchase the vehicles from Dubai through his bidder of interest.
“He had approved the money before his removal. But Meranda proceeded with buying them, a move that infuriated Obasa,” an aide to Obasa, who asked not to be named for not being authorised to comment yet, said on Tuesday.
“In December, Obasa approved the purchase of those vehicles. But for him, the vehicles were to be bought from Dubai, but when Meranda took over, she made it an open bidding. They weren’t bought in Dubai anymore. That is just the difference. So it’s not as if they stole money as it’s been propagated,” another source in the Assembly stated.
“The purchase or execution was only done (under Miranda). Obasa already approved it. There is a difference between approval and execution,” the source added.
When reached on Tuesday, Meranda’s spokesperson, Victor Ganzallo, confirmed that an official statement will be published.
However, a source close to Meranda, who indicated that he did not have formal permission to speak, stated that the first female Speaker only saved N2 billion by acquiring 32 units of the 2025 Toyota Prado SUV and seven units of the Toyota Land Cruiser 2025 for N5 billion, rather than the N7 billion planned 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,” he stated.
He said Obasa has given permission for the acquisition of 35 units of Toyota Fortuner SUVs and 10 units of Toyota Prados from Dubai for N7bn.
“As a matter of fact, he made the approval on December 23, 2024. Upon his removal, Rt. Hon. Mojisola Meranda reviewed the approval, called for a bidding locally, and approved the sum of N5b for 32 units of the 2025 Toyota Prado SUV and seven units of the Toyota Land Cruiser 2025 at the sum of N5b, saving N2b for the House.
“Unlike Obasa, who had planned to import the vehicles from Dubai, all the cars were locally supplied. It is imperative to note that no money was withdrawn by Rt. Hon. Meranda; she only reviewed an existing approval.
“Interestingly, Hon. Meranda spent far less money to acquire better quality cars and didn’t even approve a single one for the office of the Speaker that she occupied,” he added.
