Lagos Assembly’s ₦5 Billion Vehicle Procurement Sparks Leadership Crisis

A House Divided Over Spending Priorities

The Lagos State House of Assembly is once again at the center of controversy, this time over a staggering ₦5 billion vehicle procurement budget that has exposed deep-seated leadership conflicts, allegations of financial mismanagement, and questions about governance priorities.

At the heart of the dispute is the decision by Speaker Mojisola Meranda to revise an earlier ₦7 billion vehicle purchase plan approved by her predecessor, Mudashiru Obasa. What should have been a routine procurement process has now escalated into a political power struggle—one that could redefine accountability and financial oversight in Nigeria’s most economically significant state.

The Original ₦7 Billion Budget: A Questionable Expense?

In December 2024, then-Speaker Mudashiru Obasa gave the green light for the importation of 35 Toyota Fortuner SUVs and 10 Toyota Prado vehicles from Dubai at a jaw-dropping cost of ₦7 billion. This allocation came amid growing concerns about the legislature’s spending habits, particularly given reports that the Assembly had already spent over ₦9 billion in Q3 2024 on vehicle procurements alone.

The plan raised eyebrows, not only due to the excessive cost but also because of the inclusion of five additional SUVs—one for the Assembly Clerk and four reportedly earmarked for Obasa and his two wives. Critics viewed this as a classic case of power abuse and misplaced priorities, especially as key public services such as education and infrastructure were struggling with funding shortages.

Meranda’s Cost-Cutting Move: A ₦2 Billion Saving That Rattled Obasa

In January 2025, following Obasa’s removal over allegations of fraud and financial misconduct, Speaker Mojisola Meranda took over and immediately revised the procurement plan. Rather than importing vehicles from Dubai, she opted to source locally, approving a revised budget of ₦5 billion for:

• 32 units of the 2025 Toyota Prado SUV
• 7 units of the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser

By eliminating unnecessary expenses and leveraging local suppliers, Meranda’s decision saved Lagos State ₦2 billion while still fulfilling the Assembly’s needs. However, the move infuriated Obasa, who saw it as a direct challenge to his authority and legacy.

Obasa’s Return: A Power Play and a Reversal in Motion?

Barely two months after being removed, Obasa was reinstated as Speaker—a move widely believed to have been influenced by President Bola Tinubu and senior APC figures. Upon his return, one of his first actions was to demand the recall of all 40 SUVs procured under Meranda’s directive, signaling an attempt to undo her decision and reinstate his original procurement plan.

This power struggle has thrown the Assembly into a state of disarray, with lawmakers now caught in a tug-of-war between fiscal responsibility and entrenched political interests.

This latest controversy brings to light a troubling trend in Nigerian politics—one where personal interests often override public good. The key questions that arise from this debacle include:

• Why was an imported vehicle procurement plan considered over local sourcing in the first place?
• Why did the initial budget include vehicles for Obasa and his family members?
• Why is a legislative body spending billions on vehicles while sectors like education and healthcare remain underfunded?

These are the concerns that Lagos citizens—and indeed Nigerians—deserve answers to.

As tensions continue to rise, the focus must shift toward transparency and accountability. The Lagos State Assembly, as a legislative body, must justify its spending priorities and ensure that public funds are used responsibly.

Stakeholders, including civil society organizations, anti-corruption bodies, and Lagos residents, must demand a full audit of the procurement process. Furthermore, the Assembly must implement tighter financial oversight measures to prevent the recurrence of such wasteful expenditures in the future.

This unfolding drama is not just about SUVs and budgets; it is a reflection of deeper governance issues that require urgent attention. The Lagos Assembly must decide whether it serves the people or continues down the path of reckless spending and political infighting.

The coming weeks will determine whether this crisis leads to a renewed commitment to fiscal responsibility or a return to business as usual in Nigerian politics. One thing is clear: the people of Lagos deserve better.