On Saturday, the ongoing conflict between the Lagos House of Assembly and its impeached speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, intensified. It portends a season of uncertainty in the state’s lawmaking arm of government and potential political tension. Like a wounded lion, the impeached speaker roared back to life, proclaiming himself as the substantive Speaker of the House
On Saturday, the ongoing conflict between the Lagos House of Assembly and its impeached speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, intensified. It portends a season of uncertainty in the state’s lawmaking arm of government and potential political tension. Like a wounded lion, the impeached speaker roared back to life, proclaiming himself as the substantive Speaker of the House of Assembly.
Rt. Honourable Mudashiru Obasa, the lawmaker representing Agege Constituency 1, was removed as a speaker by his colleagues on January 13 over allegations of mismanagement of funds and gross misconduct. He was replaced by his former deputy, Rt. Honourable Mojisola Lawal-Meranda, who became the first woman to hold such a position in the state.
The former speaker, who is one of the longest-serving members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, is a sixth-term member of the house and a speaker since 2015. He was removed from office while he was not in the country, thereby raising the speculation that his impeachment was politically motivated, given that he might be contesting as the next governor in 2027.
However, Obasa, who was quiet throughout the process of his removal, has differed with the State House of Assembly on his impeachment, as he insisted that he is still the speaker of the house and that his impeachment did not follow due process but was politically motivated.
At a welcome event in Ikeja GRA on Saturday, where his supporters from Agege, Alimosho, and Kosofe local government areas were present, the impeached individual refuted the allegations against him, asserting that he has consistently followed the law.
He further asserted that his status as the speaker of the house has not changed, as the allegation of mismanagement of funds levelled against him is unfounded. “My status in the house? I firmly maintain my position as the speaker until the appropriate action takes place. If you want to remove me, remove me the proper way, and I will not contest it. I’m a Muslim, and I believe in fate. However, let’s proceed in the correct manner.
According to Obasa, there is no impeachment of the Speaker in the Constitution and the laws of the Assembly: “The Speaker can be removed, not impeached.” He wants the Assembly to do the right thing, as the position of Speaker is not his birthright. He also said that the right mace of the Assembly was not used for the plenary during which the members carried out the exercise.
He refuted the various allegations levelled against him and urged those who allege to prove: Is it possible to construct an ordinary gate with N16 billion? It is not the wall of Jericho or the wall that demarcated the United States of America and Mexico.
“How can they say we bought one Hilux bus for N1 billion each and that we bought 40 pieces for N40 billion? When it comes to Thanksgiving, they should make a comparison between the event they claimed we spent N200 million on and the one the state government organised.
“I am neither disturbed nor perturbed, nor am I afraid.” I will debunk all the allegations levelled against me by the House.I have not done anything wrong. I have been a legislator for over two decades, and I am the longest-serving lawmaker in the House.
“For me, I am not disturbed, perturbed, or afraid. I will address these allegations head-on and prove my innocence. I have no fear of losing my position. After all, it is not my father’s chieftaincy title. I am representing my people, and they have returned me six times. If you want to do anything, do it well.
The removal was carried out solely due to my absence from the country. Lagos is a special place; we cannot denigrate the state. They should not discredit an innocent person; they should prove their allegations against me. The Lagos State House of Assembly is above the common standard of excellence. I have served as Speaker for ten years and as a member of the Assembly since 2003. What else am I looking for? Nothing. However, we must adhere to due process,” he said.
Members of the House Disagree with Obasa’s position.
Contrary to Obasa’s claim about being the speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, the members of the house have insisted that the former speaker was impeached by the majority of the house, stating that their decision was considered and would not be rescinded.
A statement on behalf of the lawmakers, signed by the lawmaker representing Oshodi State Constituency I, Ogundipe Olukayode, maintained that just like Obasa was elected by the majority of the house, he was removed in the same manner. He insisted that they are now in support of the new administration of the Rt Hon Mojisola Lasbat Meranda.
The lawmakers cautioned the impeached Speaker against inciting political conflict in the state, stating that the majority of the legislature would oppose such actions.
“It is imperative to clarify that over 2/3 of the members of the Lagos State House of Assembly are solidly united behind the new Speaker, Rt Hon Mojisola Lasbat Meranda; therefore, we stood by the decision taken on the 13th of January where Rt Hon Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa was impeached, and we shall defend our positions to the latter, the statement reads.
“As elected representatives of the people of Lagos, we owe them good governance and a harmonious relationship with other arms of government. The position of the House remains the same, and nothing has changed. The position being canvassed by former Speaker Rt Hon Obasa is uncalled for and unparliamentary.
“The majority of members elected Rt. Hon Mudashiru Obasa as the speaker for the 10th Assembly, and we also, at the said plenary, took the majority decision to remove him and stand by the new speaker, so nothing has changed.
“All members were elected from their various constituencies across the state, and we all have the inalienable rights under the necessary statutory orders to remove their principal officers, including the speaker. Therefore, I urge the former Speaker to follow the path of peace and harmony set by others, as their current intransigent stance is likely to escalate the political situation and not be beneficial.
The impact of the simmering feud on the state’s governance and political stability is uncertain due to the disparate stances of the Lagos state lawmakers. Political analysts have been warning the parties involved about how to prevent the situation from spiralling into violence among their supporters.
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