LAGOS — The Lagos State High Court has ruled that the removal of former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa from the State House of Assembly was unconstitutional and flawed. With this judgment, Honourable Mojisola Meranda’s brief stint as Speaker has officially come to an end. Her tenure, which was never formally recognized at the Assembly, now stands as a poignant symbol of the barriers women face in Nigerian politics.
The court’s decision has sparked renewed debate on the exclusion of women from leadership roles, especially within Lagos’ political circles. Meranda, who assumed the Speaker position amid controversy, was seen by many as a beacon of progress for women’s representation. However, her forced resignation, seen by observers as a triumph of party politics over merit, equity, and justice, cut that hope short.
Political analysts argue that the circumstances surrounding Meranda’s exit expose a deeper problem: the systemic sidelining of women in Lagos State politics. Despite playing significant roles during campaigns and elections, women are rarely allowed to ascend to top leadership positions.
Out of the 57 local council development areas (LCDAs) and local governments in Lagos, only 10 are led by women. Similarly, only four women currently serve in the 40-member Lagos State House of Assembly, underscoring the state’s glaring gender imbalance.
Legal expert and former President of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Malachy Ugwummadu, said Meranda’s case—alongside that of Kogi Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan—reflects an increasing constriction of space for female political participation. He called on women to unite, mobilize allies, and push back against the forces that keep them from power.
“The dominance of political godfathers and lack of rule of law create an unpredictable and hostile environment for women,” Ugwummadu said. “Unless women come together and take collective action, these patterns will persist.”
Political analyst Abimbola Bankole described the Assembly crisis as a setback for gender inclusion. “Lagos is seen as a progressive state, yet the exclusion of women from top positions shows otherwise,” she said, pointing out that even the deputy governorship—traditionally reserved for women—has been reassigned.
Andrew Mamedu, Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, emphasized the importance of political inclusion for national development. “Women are central to our democracy and economy,” he said. “We must create gender-responsive public services and dismantle the systemic barriers that hold women back.”
As pressure mounts for reform, the Lagos Assembly’s recent upheaval has amplified calls for genuine gender equity in Nigerian politics—an issue that remains unresolved despite constitutional guarantees and national gender policies.
Whether this episode will prompt meaningful change remains to be seen. However, one thing is clear: the political landscape in Lagos must evolve to reflect the diverse voices that sustain its democracy.
