Funso Doherty, one of the governorship candidate in Lagos during the last election, has sharply criticised the leadership crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly, calling the handling of the situation a “betrayal” of public trust. In a statement released on March 3, Doherty voiced his concerns over the recent developments, which saw Mojisola Meranda resign as Speaker after intense pressure from the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership, only for Mudashiru Obasa to be reinstated in the role.
Doherty did not hold back in his condemnation of the lawmakers’ actions, which he argued showed a lack of commitment to the people of Lagos. He stated that the decision to reverse the impeachment of Obasa, made under the influence of the APC leadership, was a clear failure of the legislature to represent the interests of Lagosians.
“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,” Doherty said, highlighting his disappointment with the lawmakers’ actions.
The recent crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly has raised concerns about the state’s democratic processes. Meranda, who was elected as the first female Speaker of the House, had gained substantial support from the majority of lawmakers when she was appointed. However, her resignation came after intense pressure from APC leaders, particularly the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), the party’s highest decision-making body in Lagos.
Doherty, who is an opposition figure, highlighted the historical significance of Meranda’s appointment, seeing her rise to the position as a step forward for democracy and women’s representation in Nigerian politics. He expressed his disappointment that Meranda chose to step down, despite securing the backing of a majority of her colleagues in the House.
“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,” Doherty remarked.
He urged Meranda to have resisted external pressure, stating that her resignation undermined the democratic process. “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.”
At the heart of the controversy is the intervention of the APC leadership, which is seen as having played a pivotal role in orchestrating the events that led to the reversal of Obasa’s impeachment. The GAC, a powerful body within the APC, brokered the deal that saw Obasa reinstated as Speaker. This has raised alarms over the level of influence political parties have over the legislative process, with critics arguing that the party’s actions undermine the independence of the legislature.
In his statement, Doherty did not spare the GAC, accusing them of undermining democracy by interfering in the decision-making process of elected lawmakers. “You insisted on opposing the democratic will of the people by opposing the decisions of their elected representatives, and there will be consequences,” he warned, highlighting the dangers of such interference in the democratic system.
The Lagos State House of Assembly crisis is not just about the individuals involved but also about the broader issues of political manipulation and the erosion of democratic processes. By allowing external pressures to influence their decisions, Doherty believes the lawmakers have sent a dangerous message that the people’s will can be easily overturned for political gain.
Doherty’s statement also called on Lagosians to remain vigilant and proactive in protecting the integrity of their democracy. He urged the people of Lagos to be cautious when electing their leaders, ensuring they choose individuals who are committed to serving the collective interests of the people and not those who operate as “agents of others.”
“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,” Doherty said, stressing the need for the electorate to be aware of political manoeuvring that could undermine their rights.
Doherty concluded his statement by urging the people of Lagos to learn from the events surrounding the crisis. He cautioned that while the crisis might eventually pass, it should serve as a lesson to prevent similar political manipulations in the future.
“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,” he said.
The leadership crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly began when Mudashiru Obasa, the former Speaker, was impeached in a dramatic turn of events. Meranda, who had been appointed as the first female Speaker, was seen as a symbol of change and progress in the Assembly. However, the pressure from the APC leadership, particularly the GAC, led to her resignation, and Obasa was reinstated.
The situation highlighted the struggle between party politics and the independence of the legislature. Critics argue that the APC’s intervention in the crisis undermines the legislative process, turning it into a tool for political control rather than a body that represents the will of the people.
