Lagos Speaker Mudashiru Obasa has demanded the return of N5 billion approved by his short-lived successor, Mojisola Meranda, for vehicle purchases.
Sources told Peoples Gazette that Ms Meranda authorized the withdrawal for 40 Toyota Land Cruiser SUVs just days after replacing Mr Obasa as speaker on January 13.
“Obasa is angry that Meranda approved N5 billion for the cars so soon after taking over,” a source said. “He is demanding the money back.”
Reinstated on March 3, reportedly on President Bola Tinubu’s directive, Mr Obasa insists Ms Meranda had no right to approve the spending, as he had already planned a N7 billion disbursement for 45 Toyota Fortuner SUVs.
Lawmakers are resisting his call to return the Land Cruisers, unwilling to swap them for older models. The standoff is fueling fresh tensions in the assembly, with no resolution in sight.
