How Mojisola Meranda withdrew N5bn from LSHA account days after changing into speaker
Mudashiru Obasa, the speaker of the Lagos State Home of Meeting, is embroiled in a recent dispute along with his deputy, Mojisola Meranda, for allegedly authorising the withdrawal of N5 billion from the meeting’s account simply days after taking workplace.
The transfer got here within the wake of her temporary stint as speaker following a short-lived impeachment in January.
In response to sources aware of the unfolding drama, the recent battle between Obasa and Meranda facilities round her approval to disburse the N5 billion for the acquisition of 40 items of 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser SUVs, one for every of the 40 lawmakers.
This newspaper gathered that the acquisition was made simply days after Meranda was sworn in as Lagos State’s first feminine speaker on January 13.
“One other critical disaster is brewing within the Lagos Meeting,” a supply revealed.
“Mr. Obasa is livid that Meranda didn’t even await weeks earlier than withdrawing N5 billion to purchase 40 Land Cruisers for lawmakers after changing him as speaker.”
Obasa, who had plans for a similar car buy earlier than his impeachment, was re-elected as speaker on March 3 following the intervention of President Bola Tinubu.
Upon his return, Obasa instantly started pressuring Meranda to return the N5 billion, claiming that she had no authority to make such a big disbursement from the meeting’s account.
Meranda’s tenure as speaker lasted simply 49 days earlier than she was compelled to resign, following intense stress from President Tinubu and the Lagos APC management to revive Obasa to his place.
Sources revealed that earlier than his removing, Obasa had already deliberate to disburse N7 billion to buy 45 items of Toyota Fortuner SUVs, intending to provide one to every of the 40 members of the Lagos Home of Meeting, one for the Home clerk, and the remaining autos for himself. Nevertheless, Meranda’s approval of the N5 billion buy has now disrupted these plans.
“As quickly as Obasa was reinstated as speaker, he started placing stress on Meranda to return the N5 billion used to buy the Land Cruisers,” one supply defined.
“Obasa was about to finalize plans to disburse N7 billion for 45 Toyota Fortuner SUVs, however Meranda’s actions have thrown these plans into disarray.”
In response, Obasa has demanded that Meranda return the 40 autos already bought, a request that has sparked resistance from lawmakers.
Most of the lawmakers, who had opposed Obasa’s return to energy, are refusing handy again the brand new Land Cruisers in change for the older Toyota Fortuner fashions.
“Obasa will not be backing down,” a supply mentioned. “He’s insisting that Meranda and the opposite lawmakers instantly return the Land Cruisers, however they’re refusing. They don’t wish to surrender the most recent mannequin of Land Cruisers for the older 2020 Fortuner autos, and that is creating extra pressure within the meeting.”
The dispute continues to escalate, because the standoff between Obasa and Meranda threatens to deepen divisions inside the Lagos State Home of Meeting.