Desmond Elliot emotional as Meranda steps down from Lagos Assembly speaker

Desmond Elliot

Desmond Elliot emotional as Meranda steps down from Lagos Assembly speaker

“Madam speaker can I allow others to speak first,” said emotional Elliot.

Overwhelmed in a heart-wrenching display of emotion at the Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday, Desmond Elliot, representing Surulere Constituency II, was unable to contain his tears as lawmakers gathered to bid a heartfelt farewell to Mojisola Meranda, who resigned as speaker of the chamber after 49 days in the seat.

Meranda, who emerged as the first female speaker in the history of the house on January 13, finally succumbed to pressure on Monday and peacefully resigned from the position.

“This is a notice of resignation as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly,” Meranda read her resignation letter out at a special plenary on Monday.

Meranda assumed the position following the removal of Mudashiru Obasa on January 13. However, Obasa, who was abroad when he was removed, refused to accept the process.

He finally stormed the assembly’s complex on Thursday and declared himself as the speaker, bipolarising the legislative arm.

Normalcy finally returned to the house on Monday after Meranda resigned as the speaker and Obasa was renominated for the position.

Elliot couldn’t hold back his tears while trying to commend Meranda shortly before she resigned at the special plenary session.