The Lagos State House of Assembly is embroiled in a controversy regarding the purchase of vehicles for 40 lawmakers, with accusations flying between current Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and former Speaker Mojisola Meranda. The purchase of vehicles worth N5 billion has become a point of contention, as it appears to deepen the ongoing feud between the two.
Meranda, who took over as Speaker following Obasa’s removal in January 2025, is accused of overseeing the purchase of 39 vehicles for the lawmakers. However, it is claimed that Obasa had already approved a budget of N7 billion in December 2024 for a similar purchase, although his plan was to source the vehicles from Dubai.
The crux of the controversy lies in the differing execution of the vehicle procurement. Sources close to Obasa suggest that he had approved the purchase, but the vehicles were to be bought from Dubai. After Meranda’s appointment, she reportedly initiated an open bidding process, which led to the purchase of vehicles from local suppliers instead of Dubai. This divergence in approach has sparked further tension between the two, with Obasa’s supporters contending that the vehicles should have been sourced according to his original plan.
An anonymous source in the Assembly explained, “Obasa already approved the vehicles, but for him, they were to be bought from Dubai. Meranda, however, took a different route and opted for local bidding. The execution of the plan was under her, but the approval was from Obasa.”
In contrast, a source close to Meranda defended her actions, emphasizing that she had saved the Assembly money. The official stance from Meranda’s camp is that she made a downward review of Obasa’s initial procurement approval. The revised purchase involved 32 units of Toyota Prado SUVs and seven units of Toyota Land Cruiser SUVs for a total of N5 billion, as opposed to Obasa’s plan for 35 Toyota Fortuner SUVs and 10 Toyota Prados, which were to cost N7 billion.
Meranda’s spokesperson, Victor Ganzallo, stated that an official statement would be issued regarding the issue. A source close to Meranda noted, “Let it be known that Rt. Hon. Mojisola Meranda never made any withdrawal from the account of the Lagos State House of Assembly. She only reviewed an existing approval and saved the Assembly N2 billion.”
Obasa’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Fashanu Afolabi, has indicated that the legal battle over the impeachment and removal of Obasa is not over despite his reelection as Speaker. The ongoing case involves allegations against Obasa, including claims of highhandedness and financial mismanagement, which his lawyers argue must be fully addressed.
“Because there are some issues that are still pending within the context of the notice of allegation, the case of impeachment contains reasons for the removal, which include highhandedness, fraudulent malpractices, and the rest,” Fashanu said in an interview.
The legal case is expected to continue on March 17, 2025, with Justice Yetunde Pinheiro of the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja presiding. The court had previously adjourned the case from March 10, 2025, after Obasa’s legal team submitted further affidavits.
The controversy surrounding the vehicle purchase and the legal challenges between Obasa and Meranda remain at the heart of the political strife within the Lagos State House of Assembly, leaving the matter unresolved and continuing to stir tension among lawmakers.
