Crisis Looms Again In Lagos Assembly, As Obasa, Lawmakers Disagree Over Onafeko As Clerk

By Akinwale Kasali

There is a brewing crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly between the reinstated Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, and the Lawmakers over plans by Obasa to reinstate suspended Clerk of the House, Olalekan Onafeko.

Onafeko was suspended on January 13th, 2025, by the then Speaker of House, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, and was replaced by Ottun Babatunde.

Following the reinstatement of Obasa, he is pushing for the reinstatement of Onafeko, which the Lawmakers vehemently reject.

Onafeko has dragged Babatunde and the Assembly to the National Industrial Court to seek redress.

However, on Monday when Obasa was reelected, Ottun acted as Clerk at the Monday plenary.

Onafeko had earlier stated that he was still standing by the Court’s decision and added that he was also open to political resolution and the decision of the House.

He said, “Sometimes, you mange the situation. That doesn’t mean you don’t know what you’re doing, but for the sake of peace and the integrity of the institution itself, and I want to defer to the members of the House. I know that they will do the right thing. So, let’s take it one step at a time.

“It’s not something that you can only sort out by the law. The political and human aspects will also be looked into. The most important thing is what is good for the institution and and the state itself,” he said.

With the refusal of the Lawmakers to approve his reinstatement, there may be another crisis in the Assembly, as Obasa is eager and bent on reinstating Onafeko.