In an emotional moment at the Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday, Desmond Elliot, representing Surulere Constituency II, broke down in tears as lawmakers gathered to bid farewell to Mojisola Meranda, who resigned as Speaker after 49 days in office.
Meranda, who made history as the first female Speaker of the Lagos Assembly when she was sworn in on January 13, 2025, formally announced her resignation during a special plenary session, reading her resignation letter aloud to her colleagues.
Her decision to step down followed intense political pressure stemming from the ongoing leadership crisis within the Assembly. Despite the brief tenure, Meranda’s leadership was widely acknowledged, and her departure was met with visible sadness from several lawmakers, including Desmond Elliot, who was visibly overwhelmed by emotion.
The resignation marks another chapter in the turbulent political landscape of the Lagos Assembly, where power struggles and shifting alliances have continued to reshape the legislative house’s leadership.
Meranda assumed the position following the removal of Mudashiru Obasa on January 13. However, Obasa, who was abroad when he was removed, refused to accept the process.
He finally stormed the assembly’s complex on Thursday and declared himself as the speaker, bipolarising the legislative arm.
Normalcy finally returned to the house on Monday after Meranda resigned as the speaker and Obasa was renominated for the position.
Elliot couldn’t hold back his tears while trying to commend Meranda shortly before she resigned at the special plenary session.
“Madam speaker can I allow others to speak first,” the teary lawmaker said.