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N5bn Vehicle Purchase Deepens Obasa, Meranda Feud
“Let it be known that Rt. Hon. Mojisola Meranda never made any withdrawal from the Assembly’s account. Rather, she reviewed an existing approval by Obasa, saving the Assembly N2 billion,”
A fresh controversy has engulfed the Lagos State House of Assembly following the disputed purchase of N5 billion worth of vehicles for lawmakers, escalating tensions between Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and his short-lived successor, Mojisola Meranda.
The issue stems from a procurement process initiated during Obasa’s temporary removal from office earlier this year. Meranda, who presided as Speaker for 49 turbulent days before stepping down in March, reportedly oversaw the acquisition of 39 vehicles—despite an earlier approval of N7 billion by Obasa for the same purpose.
Sources familiar with the matter claim that Obasa had planned to source the vehicles from Dubai before his ousting on January 13 by a majority of the Assembly over allegations of financial mismanagement and highhandedness. However, upon assuming the Speaker’s chair, Meranda opted for an open bidding process and sourced the vehicles locally, reportedly saving N2 billion in the process.
An aide to Obasa, speaking anonymously, said the Speaker was furious that Meranda executed the procurement without his authorisation. “In December, he approved the purchase, but for vehicles from Dubai. When Meranda took over, she made it an open bidding process and sourced them locally. That’s the real issue,” the aide said.
Meanwhile, Meranda’s camp has defended her actions, arguing that the procurement adhered to existing approvals and that the decision to source the vehicles locally was more cost-effective. “Let it be known that Rt. Hon. Mojisola Meranda never made any withdrawal from the Assembly’s account. Rather, she reviewed an existing approval by Obasa, saving the Assembly N2 billion,” a source close to Meranda stated.
Despite being reinstated as Speaker following the intervention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership, Obasa remains locked in a legal battle with Meranda and the Assembly. His lawsuit, still pending before the Lagos State High Court, challenges the legitimacy of his removal, with his lawyer, Afolabi Fashanu (SAN), arguing that the allegations of financial misconduct must be resolved in court.
The ongoing legal tussle, coupled with the controversy over the vehicle procurement, suggests that the Lagos Assembly’s leadership crisis is far from over. Justice Yetunde Pinheiro has adjourned the case to March 17, 2025, as the political drama in Nigeria’s most influential state legislature continues to unfold.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) deputy governorship candidate in the 2023 election, Murtala Garo, has welcomed Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to the party.
Garo described the governor’s defection as a positive development for political stability and sustainable growth in the state.
Garo, who is also a former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, said in a statement on Tuesday that Yusuf’s decision demonstrated political maturity and foresight at a time when Kano and Nigeria require unity and inclusive governance.
“I formally welcome His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, into the All Progressives Congress. This is a significant and commendable step in our collective quest for political stability, inclusive governance and sustainable development in Kano State,” Garo said.
He praised Yusuf’s leadership, noting that his calm disposition and commitment to public welfare distinguish him as a leader willing to place peace and progress above partisan considerations.
“By this decisive action, His Excellency has shown the ability to rise above partisan divides in the interest of peace, progress and unity,” Garo added.
Garo said the governor’s move also reflected an understanding of the political and economic challenges facing Kano State and the country.
He expressed confidence that Yusuf’s entry into the APC would strengthen the party’s reform agenda and enhance cooperation between the state and federal governments.
He also reaffirmed his loyalty to the APC and pledged to work with the governor and other stakeholders to promote good governance, political harmony and policies that benefit the people of Kano.
Otunba Adekunle Ojora, a legendary figure in Nigeria’s corporate world and a prominent Lagos traditional leader, has passed away at the age of 93.
According to an official family statement signed by his daughter, Toyin Ojora-Saraki, he died peacefully at his home in Ikoyi, Lagos.
Widely celebrated as one of Nigeria’s most influential corporate leaders of the post-independence era, Otunba Adekunle Ojora carved an exceptional legacy that spanned journalism, public service, politics, and big-ticket corporate governance. He was Chairman of the Board of AGIP Nigeria Limited from 1971 until its acquisition by Unipetrol in 2002.
Ojora’s professional journey began in the early 1950s at the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) after studying journalism at Regent Street Polytechnic, London. Rising to the position of assistant editor, he later returned to Nigeria in 1955 to join the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) as a reporter. He later moved to Ibadan, where he served as an information officer in the office of the then regional premier.
In 1961, he transitioned into the corporate world, joining the United African Company (UAC) as Public Relations Manager and becoming an Executive Director in 1962. His interest in commerce and enterprise deepened in the years that followed, marking the start of a lifelong influence in Nigerian boardrooms.
Following the military coup that ended the First Republic, Otunba Ojora was nominated to the Lagos City Council in 1966. In 1967, he held two key appointments: Managing Director of WEMABOD, a regional property and investment company, and Chairman of the Nigerian National Shipping Line, succeeding Chief Kola Balogun.
After leaving WEMABOD, he expanded his footprint as a major investor and entrepreneur. He held significant interests in AGIP Petroleum Marketing, NCR Nigeria, and founded several private firms, including Nigerlink Industries, Unital Builders, and Lagos Investments, a holding company. In the wake of the Nigerian Enterprise Promotion Act, he acquired equity stakes in numerous foreign companies operating in Nigeria, including Bowring Group, Inchcape, Schlumberger, Phoenix Assurance, UTC Nigeria, Evans Brothers, and Seven-Up.
Beyond the boardroom, Otunba Ojora was deeply rooted in tradition. He was the Otunba of Lagos, Lisa of Ife and Olori Omo Oba of Lagos.
He is survived by his wife, Erelu Ojuolape, and children, including, Mrs. Toyin Saraki, wife of former Senate President Bukola Saraki.
The group led by notorious bandit kingpin Bello Turji has executed a rival leader, Abdu Lankai, in the Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The incident was disclosed on Wednesday in a post on X by Bakatsine, a journalist who reports on conflict and insecurity in Nigeria’s northwest.
Bakatsine disclosed that Abdu Lankai was reportedly captured on Tuesday afternoon during a reconciliation meeting with rival commanders, Dogo Rabe and Black, both linked to Bello Turji.
He wrote: “Sources confirm the killing of Abdu Lankai, an armed group leader central to enforcing a local peace arrangement in Jibia LGA, Katsina State.
“He was reportedly captured yesterday afternoon during a reconciliation meeting with rival commanders Dogo Rabe and Black, both linked to Bello Turji, and later executed.
“With Lankai gone, can Jibia’s fragile calm hold or does this mark the collapse of the peace deal?”
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