The political turbulence in the Lagos State House of Assembly has taken a new turn as the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) moves to replace Speaker Hon. Mojisola Meranda, barely weeks after she assumed office.

This development follows the dramatic ousting of former Speaker Hon. Mudashiru Obasa on January 13, when 32 out of 40 Assembly members voted him out over allegations of fraud and abuse of power. While Meranda was quickly installed to restore stability, insiders suggest her leadership may be short-lived, as the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) seeks a more politically strategic replacement.

A senior APC official revealed that Meranda was a stopgap choice, and the party leadership is now keen on restoring the Speaker’s position to Lagos West, where Obasa hails from.

To that effect, the GAC has drawn up a shortlist of eight lawmakers from Lagos West, out of which three will be nominated for the final selection: Hon. Setonji David (Badagry 2), Hon. Temitope Adewale (Ifako-Ijaye 1), Hon. Kehinde Joseph (Alimosho 1), Hon. Richard Kasunmu (Ikeja 2), Hon. Lukmon Olumoh (Ajeromi-Ifelodun 1), Hon. Age Sulaimon (Amuwo-Odofin 2), Hon. Surajudeen Tijani (Ojo 2) and Hon. Nureni Akinsanya (Mushin 2)

An anonymous lawmaker hinted at deeper political calculations at play.

“This isn’t just about Obasa’s removal; it’s about who controls the House and, by extension, Lagos politics. The APC leadership wants someone they can fully trust moving forward,” the lawmaker disclosed.

With GAC’s decision looming, tension remains high in the Assembly, as stakeholders brace for another potential shake-up in the state’s legislative leadership.

All eyes are now on the APC’s next move as the battle for control over Lagos’ most powerful legislative seat intensifies.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has put on hold its planned nationwide protest against the recent 50% increase in telecom tariffs approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

NLC President Joe Ajaero, speaking to journalists in Abuja, said the decision follows a meeting with federal government representatives at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. He stated that the suspension allows for negotiations and the formation of a broader committee to review the entire tariff structure.

“We emphasized that the NLC is the largest organization in Africa, and no stakeholder consultation can exclude us and still stand. On that basis, they agreed to form a broader committee to ensure a fair and inclusive agreement,” Ajaero said.

The committee, comprising five representatives from both the government and the NLC, has been given two weeks to deliver its findings. The outcome will determine the next course of action, including the possibility of protests, boycotts, or service withdrawals.

With the NLC watching closely, all eyes are now on the committee’s deliberations to see if they will lead to a fair resolution—or if the labor movement will return to the streets.

A fresh wave of pro-Biafra agitation has taken center stage as the Deputy Prime Minister of the United States of Biafra (USB), Dr. Ngozi Orabueze, claims that widespread compliance with the Monday sit-at-home order across the Southeast and South-South regions is a sign that Biafrans have “rejected” the Nigerian government.

In a statement released on her official X account on Monday, Orabueze stated that 98 percent of the region’s residents voluntarily observed the stay-at-home directive, which has now run for over three years.
She described the ongoing protest as an “unofficial referendum” showcasing the people’s desire for self-determination.

“The voluntary Monday sit-at-home, agreed upon by almost 98 percent of citizens of the United States of Biafra today, February 3rd, 2025, recorded a massive success across the new state,” she said.

According to Orabueze, the continued protest strengthens the legitimacy of the USB under Simon Ekpa’s leadership while sending a strong message of discontent against the Nigerian state.
She vowed that the lockdown would persist until the release of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu and USB Prime Minister Simon Ekpa.

She further accused the Nigerian government of committing atrocities in the region, alleging that the military—under the directive of Defense Chief Christopher Musa and President Bola Tinubu—has been involved in extrajudicial killings.

“The Nigerian terrorist state continues to unleash violence on our people, but we are determined to defend Biafrans and ensure our freedom,” she added.

The sit-at-home protests, which began as a demand for Kanu’s release, have severely impacted economic activities in the Southeast, with businesses, transport systems, and markets shutting down every Monday.
While supporters hail it as a powerful act of resistance, critics warn that the continuous shutdown is crippling the region’s economy.

With rising tensions and no resolution in sight, the Biafra agitation remains a major challenge for the Nigerian government, which insists that the country’s unity is non-negotiable.
Meanwhile, Ekpa remains under scrutiny following his arrest in Finland last year, while Kanu remains in Nigerian custody since his controversial extradition from Kenya in 2021.

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