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GAC blesses new speaker, Meranda
By Lukman Olabiyi
Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly have formally briefed the Governance Advisory Committee (GAC) over the change of leadership in the House.
GAC, which is the apex political body of the All Progress Congress (APC) in the state, was briefed by the lawmakers in the presence of the governor and deputy governor at a closed-door meeting held at Lagos House, Marina.
According to sources who were privy to the meeting, many of the lawmakers and party leaders narrated their ordeal in the hands of former Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa.
It would be recalled that Obasa, who was the ex-speaker of the House, was removed by his colleagues as speaker on Monday.
Revealing some of the lawmakers’ ordeals during Obasa’s reign as speaker, one of the sources disclosed that one of the lawmakers narrated how he nearly committed suicide due to the maltreatment meted out to him by Obasa.
The source said the lawmaker was among the legislators who contested against Obasa to become the speaker of the 10th Assembly.
Using words from the lawmaker while narrating his ordeal, the source said: “For daring to contest the seat of Speaker against Obasa, after the election, I nearly committed suicide due to the way I was treated. None of my colleagues in the House dared to communicate or relate with me during Obasa’s reign. Nobody dared to greet me or respond to my greeting. I was ostracised. If not for my people that I am representing, I would have run away.”
Meanwhile, GAC has endorsed the change in leadership of the House. The new speaker of the House, who was the former deputy speaker, Mojisola Meranda, revealed this in a chat with journalists after the meeting.
Meranda, flanked by some lawmakers, said that the lawmakers specifically came to seek the blessings of the GAC and that the members of the assembly are happy that the GAC blessed the change.
Similarly, the Conference 57 of Local Government and Local Council Development Area chairmen in Lagos State has congratulated Meranda on her election as the first female speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
In a statement by Conference 57’s chairman, Alabi Kolade David, and Public Relations Officer, Olusesan Daini, the group praised Meranda’s dedication, competence, and commitment to service, saying her emergence reflects the state’s progressive ideals and inclusive governance ethos.
They expressed trust in Meranda’s ability to deliver robust legislative leadership, foster development, and uphold democratic principles.
The council chairmen pledged to support and collaborate with the new speaker for a successful tenure.