Desmond Elliot Weeps as Mojisola Meranda Resigns as Speaker
In an emotional farewell at the Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday, Desmond Elliot, the lawmaker representing Surulere Constituency II, broke down in tears as Mojisola Meranda stepped down from her role as Speaker after just 49 days in office.
Meranda, who made history as the first female Speaker of the House when she assumed the position on January 13, finally yielded to mounting pressure and tendered her resignation in a special plenary session.
“This is a notice of resignation as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly,” Meranda announced solemnly, reading from her resignation letter.
Her ascension to the Speakership followed the removal of Mudashiru Obasa, but the political landscape shifted dramatically when Obasa—who was out of the country at the time of his removal—returned, rejected the decision, and forcefully reinstated himself last Thursday, throwing the Assembly into chaos.
With tensions high, Meranda’s resignation on Monday paved the way for a peaceful resolution, allowing Obasa to be renominated and formally reinstated as Speaker.
The emotional weight of the moment was too much for Desmond Elliot, who, while attempting to pay tribute to Meranda, was overwhelmed with tears. “Madam Speaker, can I allow others to speak first?” the visibly shaken lawmaker asked, struggling to hold back his emotions.
Meranda’s departure marks the end of a brief but historic chapter in the Lagos State House of Assembly, leaving many lawmakers reflecting on the intense political drama that unfolded over the past weeks.
