Mrs Mojisola Lasbat Meranda was on Monday unanimously elected as the new Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly following the impeachment of Hon. Mudashiru Obasa after the latter’s over nine years in the saddle of the leadership of the House.

Hereunder are 10 key facts about Hon. Mojisola Meranda’s life, career, and political journey:

1. Born on August 16, 1980, Mojisola Meranda hails from the prominent Ojora, Aromire, Onitana, Oloto, and Oniru royal families in LagosStatw. Her late father, Chief T.A. Lawal Akapo, was a legislator who later became the Ojora of Lagos.

2. She earned a degree in Public Administration from Lagos State University in 2013 and a Master’s in Public and International Affairs (MPIA) from the University of Lagos in 2020. She is currently pursuing an MBA in Public Sector Management at the University of York, United Kingdom

3. Her political career started with the defunct Alliance for Democracy (AD), which transitioned into the Action Congress (AC), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), and later the All Progressives Congress (APC).

4. In 2003, at the age of 23, she began working as a personal assistant to Dr. Olumuyiwa Gbadegesin, a senior special assistant on technology and special projects to then Governor Bola Tinubu of Lagos State.

5. She became a procurement manager at Cirrus Nigeria Limited. She also served as a senior special assistant and later a supervisory councillor for health at Apapa Local Government Area Council.

6. First elected in 2015 to represent Apapa Constituency 1, Meranda has been re-elected twice. She has consistently focused on amending outdated laws and implementing impactful constituency projects such as medical outreaches, educational initiatives, and water supply programs.

7. Meranda is a vocal advocate for women’s rights and greater representation in politics. She challenges stereotypes and emphasises that women are equally capable of holding leadership positions.

8. She was elected Chief Whip of the Ninth Lagos State House of Assembly

9. She was elected the Deputy Speaker of the House in 2023.

10. On Monday, January 13, 2025, she became the first female Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

Oyo State governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, has threatened to prosecute kingmakers in Oyo Kingdom (Oyomesi) and others, who collected bribe or gratification in the selection process of the new Alaafin of Oyo.

He said any chief or anyone found guilty of bribe-taking during the selection process would face prosecution.

It would be recalled that five kingmakers (Oyomesi) declared the appointment of Prince Akeem Owoade as 46th and new Alaafin of Oyo by the governor as null and void because they did not recommend such name to the state government for ratification.

They insisted that the only person they recommended as the next Alaafin was Prince Luqman Gbadegesin.

However, the governor, while presenting staff of office and certificate to the new Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade, at the Government House in Ibadan, on Monday, emphasised on transparency and accountability in the selection process of the new monarch.

The governor described Oba Owoade as a leader poised to upholding the cultural and historical heritage of the Oyo Kingdom, noting that the Alaafin of Oyo is not just a traditional ruler but a custodian of rich history and tradition.

“I believe that Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade will lead with wisdom, integrity, and a commitment to the unity of the Oyo kingdom,” Makinde stated.

In his response, Oba Owoade expressed gratitude to the people of Oyo and promised to prioritise the development of the kingdom and the welfare of the residents.

Oba Owoade was accompanied by a delegation of his subjects from Oyo town, marking a significant moment in the state’s traditional leadership history.

He, however, pledged to usher in a new era of leadership, with a focus on cultural preservation, youth development, and economic growth in the Oyo Kingdom.

Meanwhile, when contacted, the Bashorun of Oyo and head of Oyomesi, High Chief Yusuf Akinade, said their lawyer should be contacted for reaction, saying he has nothing to say for now since the case is currently in court.

“I don’t know anything about it, I am not around, whatever you want to know, you can contact our lawyer because the case is currently in court, so, I can’t say anything outside the court. I am the Bashorun, I am not aspiring to become the Alaafin,” the High Chief stated.

The Senate has expressed concern over the consistently low remittances of revenues generated in 2024 by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) and some Government-Owned Enterprises (GOEs) to the Federation Account.

The chairman of the Joint Finance Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives, Senator Sani Musa, made this statement yesterday in Abuja during an interactive session on the MDAs’ revenue projections 2025.

The session featured representatives from key agencies, including the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), and the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC).

Senator Musa expressed deep concern over the disparity between the substantial revenue generated by these MDAs and their consistently low remittances to the Federation Account.

He highlighted that this trend undermines the government’s ability to fund critical infrastructure projects and provide essential social services.

“This trend calls into question inefficiency, mismanagement, and possible revenue leakages,” he said.

He emphasised that the committee’s primary mandate is to ensure transparency, accountability, and efficiency in these agencies’ financial operations.

The committee has committed to scrutinising the MDAs’ revenue projections, financial performance, and compliance with statutory remittance obligations.

Senator Musa explained that this process aims to identify systemic challenges and recommend actionable solutions to address the troubling patterns.

He called on the agencies to present accurate data and comprehensive records during the session, emphasising the need for transparency to benefit Nigerians.

“Let us approach these tasks with a shared commitment to building a stronger, more accountable fiscal framework for Nigeria,” he said, underscoring the importance of collective responsibility.

The senator urged stakeholders to openly address all areas of concern, including those not formally presented during the session.

Minister of power, Adebayo Adelabu, said on Monday that Nigeria’s power generation increased by 30 per cent in 2024.

The minister, speaking during a budget defence session with the Senate Committee on Power, revealed that his administration inherited an average generation capacity of 4,100 megawatts (MW) in 2023 and raised it to 5,528 MW by the end of 2024.

“I can tell you authoritatively that by the end of 2024, we had a peak generation of 5,528 MW of power from 4,100 MW of plants. And the reason for this is not far-fetched. We know that we added a new hydroelectric power dam, Zungeru, of 700 MW, and also there was a tremendous increase in the generation by other existing power generating companies, mainly hydro and thermal plants,” he explained.

He noted that while the initial target was 6,000 MW, unforeseen challenges such as grid disturbances towards the end of the year prevented him from achieving it. However, he emphasised that the shortfall was minimal.

The minister also reported an increase in energy access, which rose by five per cent from 59 per cent at the end of 2023 to 64 per cent by the close of 2024. This progress, according to Adelabu, resulted from a combination of grid access expansion and growth in renewable energy initiatives, including solar, small hydro and wind energy projects.

Despite these achievements, the minister expressed concerns about the metering gap in the country. He disclosed that approximately six million electricity customers are currently metered, while over seven million remain unmetered.

To address this issue, Adelabu revealed that the ministry had secured a N700 billion fund and plans to commence the procurement of meters in the first quarter (Q1) of 2025.

He explained that the goal is to procure at least two million meters annually over the next five years, which he believes will completely eliminate the existing meter gap and eliminate any form of fraud in terms of electricity billing.

Road transporters said, Nigerians should not expect transport fare drop anytime soon, despite the recent slash infuel pump price to between N925 and N985 per litre, across major fuel filling stations nationwide.

The transporters who spoke with LEADERSHIP noted that the fuel price drop is insignificant and that not all filling stations have so far slash their fuel pump price. Lamenting hike in cost of maintaining their vehicles as spare part prices have risen by over a 100 per cent in the last one year, they said, the fuel price may still rise in near future, hence, the need for them to observe price movement and know whether the environment is ripe for them to adjust fare downward.

LEADERSHIP had earlier reported in December 2024 that Dangote Petroleum Refinery announced a reduction in the price of its Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) product, also known as fuel, to N899.50 per litre. The firm had previously lowered the price to N970 per litre on 24 November and has now set a new price of N899.50 per litre. This reduction is designed to ease transport costs during the festive period.

Following this announcement, the president of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, stated that ,the Dangote Petroleum Refinery had partnered MRS Oil and Gas to offer petrol at N935 per litre at retail outlets, following a reduction in the ex-depot price from N970 to N899.50 per litre. From then till now, some other major marketers have signed similar deals with Dangote Refinery. Similarly, this development forced NNPC Limited to equally drop its fuel litre price to N925.

While many passengers expected this reduction to be reflected in the fares they pay for transportation, this was not to be as instead, there were fare increases on some routes across Lagos and Ogun States axis.

Speaking to LEADERSHIP, a commuter in Lagos, Abass Tajudeen said: “By now, I expected a reduction in the price of transport, but it is instead increasing. From Oshodi to Sango-Ota, it’s now N1,000. The issue is that we have no option but to board the buses since we can’t trek that long distance.”

Another commuter, Dele Adeleye, stated that transporters are in the habit of inflicting pain on commuters, exploiting every situation to charge more.

Narrating his ordeal, Adeleye mentioned that a trip from Oshodi to Gbagada General Hospital, usually N200, is now N300. However, when there is a church activity around Gbagada on Sundays, drivers take advantage and charge N400, which, he said, was not right.

Speaking on behalf of App-Based Transporters, a business partnerships and proposals manager at the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON), Comr. Jolaiya Seun Moses responded to why there is no noticeable reduction in transport costs.

He explained that, “we have experienced several fuel price hikes, yet we have never demanded an increase in transportation fares. The era of raising transport costs with every slight fuel price increase has changed. We are now in a system where we endure one another. What we’re observing in fuel prices are minor fluctuations. Even when there’s a N50 increase, we transporters don’t demand higher fares. So, when there’s a small reduction of N30 or so, we don’t see it as a decrease but rather as a fluctuation in price.”

Moses, who is also the association’s national treasurer, stated that, “If there is a significant reduction in fuel prices, you will see a decrease in transportation costs without transporters needing to be informed. Passengers themselves will start asking for it. The current reduction in fuel prices is not significant enough to affect what we charge. A decrease of N20 or N30 is not sufficient to cause a reduction in transportation fares. Even now, no driver will tell you they are taking home good money. You would need to see fuel prices drop below N800 per litre before you start seeing any noticeable changes.”

Another driver, Akinloye James, who plies the Oshodi to Gbagada General Hospital route, said the price of transportation cannot come down mainly because not all filling stations are selling at the reduced price. “For instance, at the Total station, if you are going from Oshodi to Gbagada, their price is still above N1,000. Only a few are selling below N1,000. So, the fact remains that more stations are selling above N1,000, which is why people have not witnessed a reduction in the price of transportation,” he said.

Corroborating what James said, another bus driver who shuttles between Oshodi and Mafoluku, Lagos, Joshua Mafolasere, expressed, “People are saying there is a drop in the amount at which fuel is sold, but not all filling stations are selling at a reduced price. And because not all filling stations have reduced pump prices, it has not been reflected in transport costs.”

Mafolasere also said: “The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), known as the union, collects their money regardless of the economic situation. They don’t pity the drivers; they don’t reduce the money charged for booking daily, and this is aside from the little money you pay to different agbero.

“At Oshodi here, we pay N1,200 for a ticket every day we want to work. And for every trip you make, you also pay money, excluding payments of different levies such as boys’ money, environmental money, and other expenses. So tell me, how do we reduce transport costs with all these levies? Mafoluku to Oshodi is at N200, and before the subsidy removal, it was N100, then moved to N150, and now it is N200.”

Mafolasere implored the government to provide a soft landing because when the price of essential commodities like fuel comes down, then automatically, ‘we too will reduce the price at which we carry passengers. But marginal reductions such as N30 or N50 do not solve or provide solutions to the issues before us.’

LEADERSHIP visited up to three different NURTW offices at Oshodi on two separate days to find out why people have not been seeing a reduction in transport fares and what the unions are doing to reduce the burden. One member of the union at Branch E, located at A7, Seinde Calisto Crescent, Oshodi, said, “We cannot attend to you without you first going through Branch A. Any information you want, you get at the branch or they permit us to give you; otherwise, there’s nothing we can do.”

The following day, a visit to Branch A, where some members were available, unlike the previous day when none was available to speak, also directed our correspondents to the Lagos State Council at Agege, saying Branch A cannot speak without going to the state council. However, efforts to speak to the State council failed as well as nobody was ready to respond to our enquiries.

A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has sacked the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Hon. Chukwuemeka Aaron.

The Court, presided over by Justice Stephen Jumbo, also nullified the ward, local government and state congresses of the PDP held in the State in July 2024.

The development is coming less than one month after another High Court nullified the ward, local government and state congresses of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, which produced Chief Tony Okocha as State Chairman.

The court’s decision followed a dispute over the legitimacy of the PDP congresses, which were conducted by a faction of the party loyal to the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike.

LEADERSHIP recalls that a State High Court presided over by Justice Charles Wali had on July 20, 2024, stopped the PDP from going ahead with the ward, local government and State congresses.

Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly unanimously impeached Hon Obasa on Monday, ending his nine-year headship of the Lagos State legislature.

Obasa, who was away in the United States (USA), was accused of several infractions and replaced by his deputy, Hon Mojisola Meranda.

Meranda, who represents Apapa Constituency 1 and was also the House’s former chief whip, makes history as the first female speaker in Lagos.

Hon. Mojeed Fatai was elected the House’s Deputy Speaker.

Hon. Obafemi Saheed, Kosofe Constituency 2, moved the motion for his removal under urgent public importance, citing relevant sections of the constitution that abhor infractions and back the speaker’s impeachment.

Some allegations levelled against the impeached speaker were highhandedness, gross misconduct, poor leadership, lack of commitment to legislative business, lack of regard for fellow lawmakers, and intimidation and suppression of legislative staff.

Other allegations levelled against him are financial impropriety, misappropriation of funds, lack of transparency, gross abuse of office and privileges, and authoritarianism, among others.

He was alleged to always be at loggerheads with the executive arm, running a parallel government with state Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and absenting himself from most state functions.

However, beyond all the above accusations, political watchers say political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 general election, in which Obasa was said to have an ambition to run as governor, was the real push behind his removal as head of the state’s legislature, a post he had held for almost a decade.

Analysts said interest in the 2027 governorship election is behind the removal of Rt Hon Mudashiru Obasa as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

It was gathered that Obasa’s ambition put him against some of those eyeing that seat.

In what observers considered moves to ridicule the state deputy governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, who is also eyeing the governorship seat, Obasa summoned the deputy governor to report at his seat during the governor’s budget presentation in November without showing respect for his office.

A political analyst, Jide Ojo, has described the impeachment of the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa as a self-inflicted own goal.
Ojo who was a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, said derogatory remarks on Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu might have been one of Obasa’s offences that earned him the impeachment.

“On the social media, most allusions were that he (Obasa) was disrespectful to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in the way he carried out during the budget presentation exercise, particularly when he made that snide remark that I am not too young or inexperienced to be the governor of the state and I am more qualified than some of those people who are there.

“So, it’s presumed to be a snide remark at a sitting governor. Incidentally, as a speaker or deputy speaker of the House of Assembly you do not have immunity, you are just there at the grace of your members.

“I don’t know what might have prompted Obasa to behave the way he did because if what he is alleged to have done has been revealed which is politics behind the scene of keeping the governor waiting for several hours, keeping the party elders waiting and no apologies and then the President weighing in and you are showing some stubbornness and recalcitrant, well those the gods want to destroy they first make whatever.
“So, I believe this may have been a self-inflicted own goal if I want to call it own goal,” he said.

A political analyst, Jide Ojo, has described the impeachment of the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa as a self-inflicted own goal.
Ojo who was a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, said derogatory remarks on Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu might have been one of Obasa’s offences that earned him the impeachment.

“On the social media, most allusions were that he (Obasa) was disrespectful to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in the way he carried out during the budget presentation exercise, particularly when he made that snide remark that I am not too young or inexperienced to be the governor of the state and I am more qualified than some of those people who are there.

“So, it’s presumed to be a snide remark at a sitting governor. Incidentally, as a speaker or deputy speaker of the House of Assembly you do not have immunity, you are just there at the grace of your members.

“I don’t know what might have prompted Obasa to behave the way he did because if what he is alleged to have done has been revealed which is politics behind the scene of keeping the governor waiting for several hours, keeping the party elders waiting and no apologies and then the President weighing in and you are showing some stubbornness and recalcitrant, well those the gods want to destroy they first make whatever.

“So, I believe this may have been a self-inflicted own goal if I want to call it own goal,” he said.

At the 2025 budget presentation, the former speaker disrespectfully said those who have ruled Lagos State in the past were not better than him, a statement many considered an insult to past leaders and an overbearing attitude toward the state’s powers that be.

To nail the former speaker’s coffin, the motion for his impeachment was seconded by Hon Aro Moshood Abiodun, Ikorodu 2. It was immediately subjected to a voice vote three times by Hon. Meranda, who presided over the proceedings.

All the lawmakers shouted “yes” to support the impeachment, while none said “nay” to counter the motion.

Speaking to journalists on Monday at the Lagos Assembly, Hon. Abiodun Tobun, representing Epe Constituency 1, disclosed that the impeachment was a unanimous decision by the lawmakers.

Tobun emphasised that the action was necessary to protect the integrity of the legislature and the state.

“The lawmakers agreed to take this step to safeguard our image and Lagos State. Change is inevitable, and we felt it was time for a new direction,” Tobun said.

He explained that the Constitution empowers the Assembly to regulate its proceedings, and members agreed to end Obasa’s tenure.

Following the impeachment, Hon. Mojisola Meranda was sworn in as the new speaker, with Hon. Fatai Ajibola assuming the role of deputy speaker.

“All standing committees and principal officer positions have been dissolved. We are determined to work together to elevate the Assembly and deliver on our responsibilities to Lagosians,” Tobun added.

The lawmakers assured the public of their commitment to the progress and stability of Lagos State under the new leadership.

As a mark of acceptance, the Conference 57 Local Government and Local Council Development Area Chairmen in Lagos State have congratulated Rt. Hon Mojisola Meranda on her election as the first female Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

In a statement, the body praised Meranda’s dedication, competence, and commitment to service, saying her emergence reflects the state’s progressive ideals and inclusive governance ethos.

The forum said they trusted Meranda’s ability to deliver robust legislative leadership, foster development, and uphold democratic principles.

They assured her of their support and collaboration and wished her a successful tenure marked by groundbreaking achievements.

Signed on behalf of Conference 57 by its chairman,  Alabi Kolade David, and public relations officer, Olusesan Daini, the statement concluded with a congratulatory message to the Speaker.

As of the time this report was filed, some state Assembly staff members were seen jubilating over Obasa’s impeachment, saying he did not care about the welfare of the state’s Legislative Assembly staff.

“I hope your daughter is safe”

“We thank God. We are all fine. But which of my daughters do you have in mind?” 

“The one in California. When I read about the wildfires that destroyed over six areas in Southern California, it was you and your daughter that came to my mind. I called you but in your usual fashion, you don’t pick your calls and you are very bad at returning calls.”

“Don’t mind me. Sometimes, I just get too busy for myself. But to God be the glory. The fires didn’t reach her own side of California. But you are right. It has been a traumatic week for me. I was permanently on the phone to her, and even when she told me she was in a safe area each time I read that the wildfires were spreading, I died a little. The commentators online didn’t help matters. They would say Apocalyptic. Surreal. Chaotic. Devastating. Uncontrollable. I became a geography expert monitoring the fires in California from Nigeria.”

“I cannot blame you”.

“That girl is my only daughter. She means everything to me. I have told these children, live in Nigeria, but once you send them to school abroad, they don’t want to come home again. You won’t see their tail lights again. She is in California. Her elder brother is in Canada. The other boy is in the UK. I should have married a second wife long ago, to create a second generation of children instead of sitting all alone in this big house. They don’t even call. They are too busy with their own lives. But what can I do? I commiserate with the people of Los Angeles, the government of California, and the United States.”

“Lost Angeles. A lost city”

“Terrible. Entire neighbourhoods were wiped out by fire. Pacific Palisades. Hollywood Hills. Eaton. Hurst. Lidia. Kenneth. Sunset. Woodley. Olivas. Celebrities lost their homes. Paris Hilton. Adam Brody. Leighton Master. Losses running into over $8 billion worth of insurance. Ordinary people running away from their homes had to abandon their vehicles as they were chased by fire and the intense winds. Total incineration. There is certainly something in this world that we do not understand.”

“The fires have been traced to global warming. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the EU Copernicus Climate Change Services Centre (3SC) have both reported that the year 2024 has been the hottest year for a decade, with an average of 1.6C on a daily basis.”

“I thought the Paris Agreement of 2015 puts the recommended limit at 1.5C. And since then we have been having the Conference of Parties (COP) on global climate issues. COP 26 in Glasgow, Scotland, in 2021, COP 27 in Sharm El Sheik, Egypt in 2022, COP 28 in Dubai in 2023, COP 29 in Baku, Azerbaijan in November 2024. I remember those ones very well. World leaders meet and they make commitments, to reduce carbon emissions to zero, finance climate adaptation, and create a better world.” 

“Hypocrites! Holding Talks. Leaders of the Global North are quick to talk about climate finance and climate adaptation, but they are not committed to it. We suffer in the Global South far more, even when we contribute less to the crisis. And yet we see the world warming up. Ice glaciers are melting. Sea levels are rising. Earthquakes are more frequent. Floods everywhere. If world temperatures were to rise to 2C, we would all be dead.”

“There are other theories though, especially in the lawless Lost Angeles fires.”

“Tell me”

“Some people are saying that it has to do with the power supply system in the County. Electricity poles collapsing and igniting fires.” 

“What I know is the fire chief saying this is about climate change, low humidity and rampaging winds fuelling the fires and that nobody knows when this rage of nature would end or how far the wildfires will travel.”

“Hmm So, what is on your mind? You will ask your daughter to come back home? Return to Nigeria. We don’t have wildfires here.”

“We are part of humanity. We are all in this together. Do you know how many Nigerians live in California? Whatever happens in any part of the world affects others. It is when it touches you that you know. I don’t think my daughter will even agree to come home. She has a good job. She is doing well. I just want her to get married and settle down and run her own life.”

“How is that your business? Let her get a husband and inform you.”

“No. It is my business. I want her to settle down. If she was in her husband’s house, I would not need to worry about wildfires in California. I will know she is not alone. The two of them can look after each other and their own family, and I can sleep better here in Nigeria”

“You are getting old”.

“My daughter should not marry?”

“Leave young people to do their thing. They know how to survive. Stop sounding like a father in-law who wants to do Omugwo. I know your type.”

“What is wrong with Omugwo? I can do it. What is wrong in helping to bring up my own grandchildren.”

“My friend, go and sit down. It is women who do post-partum care not men. Don’t go and disgrace yourself in your daughter’s house. Two of my daughters are married. You know that. Have you ever seen me going to their houses to help baby sit? It is their mother that does that. Don’t let your enthusiasm and lack of experience get the better of you. Getting a husband for your daughter, yes, but don’t go to the ridiculous extent of helping your in-law to change nappies for his own children?”

“You don’t ever get it.”

“Yes. I don’t ever get anything. But I am more experienced than you. Listen to words of wisdom.” 

“Obasanjo did well sha”

“What did he do?”

“Last Sunday, he organized a special memorial service in Abeokuta for President Jimmy Carter of the United States who died at 100” 

“Oh. That’s a good one. Nice one. President Carter was a good man. He was a global citizen. He made more impact even after his Presidency as a global statesman. This is what we tell our leaders in Africa. Do good. Govern well. Be useful to humanity in and out of office. Stop stealing. Look at the bigger picture ahead.  I am sure most Americans don’t even know where Abeokuta is on the map, and yet they have their late President being celebrated, about 5, 000 miles away. These our African leaders, their own people will spit on their graves. It is good to be nice, to leave a legacy of honour and character. This is the message of Jimmy Carter’s legacy.”

“This is also about friendship and loyalty. President Obasanjo found in President Carter a good friend. He has chosen to honour him.”

“A friend must be a friend. I know some people. If their friend dies, their way of showing loyalty would be to take over his wife.” 

“Are you alright? I am making an important point, you are talking about wives. Seriously, are you drunk? You must just find a way of turning everything into a joke.”

“Ok. Ok. Sorry. My mind just strayed. You know how it is. You are discussing something and then your mind will just go in another direction, even to a subject that is totally unrelated. These days, my mind just goes this way and that way.” 

“Go and see a doctor immediately. Lunacy. Schizophrenia. Hallucination. Seek help.” 

“You are the one that is mad. I know what crossed my mind. I am very lucid.” 

“Hmm.”

“It is about this woman”

“Which woman? Look, I am not in the mood for gossip today. I have things to attend to.”

“I am talking about this woman who, on January 8, held up a flight from Uyo to Abuja, Ibom Air because according to her she would not leave except her luggage was loaded onto the aircraft and nobody else will travel also. She made sure 89 passengers aboard the aircraft were left stranded. The flight had to be cancelled. And that is supposed to be somebody’s wife oh and the mother of some children. I pity her husband.”

“What I hear is that the same airline had failed to carry her luggage before, citing luggage restrictions. Happening a second time, she could not take it again. I think I know where she is coming from. These Nigerian airlines have very rude staff. They are so discourteous. Someone has to get really angry and teach them a lesson. You will buy expensive tickets and then one airline staff will start treating you as if he or she is doing you a favour. I support the woman. What nonsense! In fact, she should have deflated the tyres of the plane.”

“No. I don’t think you have the right information. What she did was an act of terrorism. No matter the provocation, no air traveller has the right to sabotage the flight. There were other persons on that flight who had things to do in Abuja. They suffered losses, physical and emotional.”

“Somebody has to stand up to these Nigerian airlines. They misbehave a lot. There is no consumer protection. The last time I wanted to go to Abuja, they kept me waiting for hours upon hours. Nobody gave any explanation. The staff were rude and stupid. A flight that was scheduled for 2 pm, I did not get to Abuja until 1 am. One of these days, I will deflate their tyres and damn the consequences.”

“Other lives are involved. You will not do that. Which is precisely the issue in the Ibom Air case. The airline said the woman was carrying excess luggage, and that the aircraft had baggage restrictions. They offered to get the luggage to her on arrival. She insisted on carrying her luggage as hand luggage. Wahala oh. Nigerians are notorious for carrying Town Council luggage. They know us even in Heathrow London, they had to create a special terminal for Nigerians. I don’t think anybody should endanger another person’s life by disregarding safety regulations.” 

“Which safety regulations? If the woman had agreed to give the persons at the counter small bribe, they would immediately play ball. This is Nigeria. She just happened to be one of the difficult ones.” 

“I will rather just insist that safety is important and those who travel by air must realize that they do not have the right to inconvenience other people. Things got so bad in that January 8 incident other passengers wanted to lynch the woman. But now, I hear the Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA has decided to sue the woman.”

“I think the NCAA, Ibom Air, air travellers and other stakeholders must see this as a wake-up call to do a lot more to defend consumers’ interest. I get your point about safety: baggage restrictions, not holding up other passengers and the fact that the Uyo airport is a sunset airport, but let’s tell ourselves the truth, airlines in Nigeria have a way of bringing out the worst in everybody.” 

“We all know that. We should all just try to be civilized about how we manage our frustrations”

“I hear that the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly has been impeached. He was accused of fraud and abuse of office. Serious drama in Lagos, yesterday. Even his supporters who came from Agege to protect and defend him were whisked away by security agents.”

“And they were singing on your mandate we shall stand…on your mandate!”

“We all know who is standing on what mandate.”

“It can only be the Jagaban himself. The Jagaban of Borgu. The Asiwaju of everywhere. The President-General of Nigeria. Whoever does not know will know. If you have ears that still hear, you will hear: Obleee”

“Whatever. Obasa served for three terms as Speaker. Now his detractors in the House say they want to try another person. A woman has emerged. Mojisola Meranda from Apapa 1 Constituency. First female Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly. Congratulations to her.”  

“Does that mean the end of Hon. Mudashiru Obasa’s political career?”

“No. No. No. I won’t say that. His tenure as Speaker yes. Immediately he was impeached, his enemies started removing his pictures from the walls. That is life. Today, people praise you. If you slip a little, they will turn their back on you. But Obasa remains a member of the House. He also remains a political leader in his Agege Constituency. I smell 2027 politics. The moment I heard that he was interested in becoming Governor of Lagos State in 2027, I knew something was going to happen to him.” 

“I hear it is the matter between him and Governor Babajide Sanwoolu. The Speaker was becoming too proud for the Governor. When the President came home, he tried to sort things out between them. This is the long hand of the Godfather of Lagos politics. Obasa is a victim of power play.” 

“Let us hope he gets some clarity. But no man should be sacrificed for having an ambition. It is a legitimate aspiration to want to be Governor. The Speaker of the House cannot be an errand boy of the Governor. The part of the story that needs to be clarified is this talk about fraud and abuse of office. I want to hear more about that. What did he abuse? Tell us. But it is good news that Lagos now has a Female Speaker of the Lagos House of Assembly. I think I like that”.

“Me too. Congratulations to her.” 

“By the way, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has introduced resit exams for students who cannot get five credits at the first sitting. Between January and March, they can resit the exam or some papers to enable them make the next round of college admissions, instead of having to wait and lose a whole year.” 

“What is in a WAEC exam that a pupil cannot pass at one sitting? Parents should encourage their children to get more serious and stop getting distracted by social media and music. Sit down, read, pass. Which resit? This is how we encourage indolence among secondary school students.” 

“Everyone deserves to be given a second chance in life. I support the idea of the early WAEC resit.”

“You will support anything. I am sure you didn’t pass your own school cert at the first attempt. So what do I expect? Olodo people. Anyway, looks like the Super Eagles now have a new head coach.

“Yes. His name is Eric Sekou Chelle. Malian. We will wait and see.” 

Lagos State House of Assembly has sworn in its first female Speaker, Mojisola Meranda.

Meranda took her oath of office after the impeachment of the former Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, on Monday during a plenary session.

She represents the Apapa 1 state constituency in the assembly.

Taking her oath of office, Meranda said, “I affirm that I will be faithful as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly; that I will perform my functions honestly to the best of my ability, faithfully, and in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Details later…

The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party, Alhaji Shehu Gabam, has dismissed speculations of a political alliance with the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 elections, Atiku Abubakar, and the former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, ahead of the 2027 elections.

Gabam stated that the SDP’s priority is strengthening its structures and offering Nigerians credible alternatives.

He made this known during an appearance on Television Continental’s Politics Tonight on Sunday.

He said, “There’s no alliance with anyone. As the chairman of the party, I have not engaged in any discussions about alliances. Our focus is on reviewing our strategies from 2024 and building a dynamic, inclusive platform.”

Addressing his meetings with El-Rufai, Gabam described him as a significant figure whose influence has caused anxiety among some political actors.

He, however, distanced the SDP from any political alignment with the former Kaduna governor.

“El-Rufai is a major force, but my relationship with him is personal, not political. Some people magnify his presence to create unnecessary controversy,” he explained.

Gabam also highlighted the failures of both the All Progressives Congress and the PDP, urging Nigerians to demand transparency and accountability from the Bola Tinubu government.

“The weaknesses of the PDP and APC are evident. Our responsibility in the SDP is to create a competitive and transparent platform where Nigerians feel empowered to aspire and thrive,” he stated.

Gabam expressed concerns about the state of governance under President Bola Tinubu, describing the administration as disconnected from the realities facing Nigerians.

He pointed to skyrocketing living costs, food insecurity, and transportation challenges as key issues affecting citizens.

“The cost of living is unbearable for many, and some policies have exacerbated the struggles of ordinary citizens. Nigerians are paying more for electricity, food, and transportation, yet they are told the economy is improving. These contradictions are deeply concerning,” Gabam said.

He also condemned the President’s reliance on advisers who, he claimed, fail to provide an accurate picture of the nation’s struggles.

“Leaders must have their ears to the ground. Waiting for filtered reports from officials risks ignoring the real issues on the streets,” Gabam added.

Gabam raised allegations of political intimidation and misuse of state institutions, citing his own experience of having his security details withdrawn without explanation.

He said, “My security was withdrawn a month ago without any formal notice. It’s alarming that state instruments are used to intimidate those who offer constructive criticism,” he said.

The SDP chairman urged the federal government to reevaluate its policies, particularly those affecting the welfare of citizens. “Subsidy removal and other reforms have left Nigerians struggling. The government needs to prioritise policies that directly improve the lives of the people,” he said.

He, however, reaffirmed the SDP’s commitment to presenting viable alternatives, saying, “Our competition is legitimate and within the law. We are focused on winning by addressing the issues that matter most to Nigerians.”