By Dansu Peter The prolonged leadership crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly, which saw the removal of Mudashiru Obasa and the emerg...
By Dansu Peter
Further compounding the situation, political stakeholders believe that Meranda’s appointment from Apapa Local Government Area, within the Lagos Central Senatorial District, has disrupted the state’s power-sharing formula. With Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu also hailing from Lagos Central, Lagos West has been left without any key position in the state’s governance structure.
Amidst this tension, fresh indications suggest that Meranda may step down, paving the way for either Hon. David Setonji or Hon. Wale Rauf to assume the speakership. This speculation follows purported intervention efforts by top political figures, including former APC National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande, former Ogun State Governor Aremo Olusegun Osoba, and Chief Pius Akinyelure, Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.
Meranda ascended to the position on January 13 following Obasa’s removal over allegations of corruption, abuse of office, and high-handedness. However, Obasa has challenged his removal in court, arguing that due process was not followed.
In an attempt to stabilize the House, political stakeholders purportedly convened a meeting with key officers and members, with another round of deliberations expected soon. Reports suggest that Meranda may return to her former role as Deputy Speaker while one of the two lawmakers from Lagos West—David Setonji (Badagry 2) or Wale Rauf (Amuwo Odofin 2)—could emerge as the new Speaker.
As the current Chief Whip of the Assembly and a lawmaker since 2015, Hon. Engr. Setonji David presents the most experienced and fair choice for the speakership. In contrast, Hon. Wale Rauf, a member since 2019, has comparatively less experience. However, political decisions often transcend fairness and justice, incorporating broader strategic considerations.
This is where Badagry leaders must come together in unity to push for Engr. Setonji David’s emergence as Speaker, thereby breaking a longstanding jinx. Despite its historical and political significance in Lagos State’s IBILE composition, Badagry has never produced a Governor, Deputy Governor, or Speaker of the State Assembly. The speakership is the third most powerful position in Lagos governance, and securing it would mark a turning point for Badagry’s political and developmental aspirations.
The recent passing of Pa. Akinsanya Sunny Ajose, the only Badagry representative at the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), is a significant loss. His influence would have been instrumental in advocating for Setonji’s candidacy. Nevertheless, the onus now falls on APC leaders in Badagry to seize this golden opportunity.
The potential of having a Badagry indigene as Speaker extends beyond political symbolism—it carries tangible developmental implications. The authority of the state’s third-ranking official can be leveraged to attract substantial socio-infrastructural development to the region. Therefore, it is imperative that Badagry’s political stakeholders, from grassroots mobilizers to high-ranking party members, put their weight behind Setonji’s bid if the peddled rumor is a reality.
This is a defining moment for Badagry. The political class must not sit back and watch as another opportunity slips away. Hon. Engr. Setonji David’s ascension to the speakership would not only shatter historical barriers but also pave the way for increased influence and development for Badagry. The time to act is now.
Dansu Peter is a former APC aspirant, Lagos State House of Assembly and the Publisher of Badagry Today, a community online news platform
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