…‘I Remain Lagos Assembly Speaker – Obasa
…says impeachment not the end of the world
….denies corruption allegation
….We stand by our decision to impeach Obasa – Lagos
Impeached Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa has described the corruption allegations against him as “fictitious and unsubstantiated”.
Speaking during a welcome rally at his residence in GRA, Ikeja on Saturday, Obasa maintained that he was not afraid of being impeached but emphasised that due process was not followed.
The former speaker alleged that his removal was orchestrated while he was away, and accused the state commissioner of police of aiding the process.
He claimed security agents, led by the police commissioner, invaded the assembly complex and his homes in Agege and Ikeja, locking his family indoors with over 200 officers present.
Obasa dismissed allegations of misappropriation.
He mocked claims that a gate construction had cost N16 billion, saying, “Is it the wall of Jericho?”
He said “I am not afraid of being removed, 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.
“They did the removal all because I was out of the country. Lagos is a special place, we cannot denigrate the state.
The former speaker cited the case of the former speaker, Rt. Hon Jokotola Pelumi.
He said when Pelumi was removed, he was in the assembly and “we did not invite policemen.
“When my sister, former deputy speaker of the house, hon. Adefunmilayo Tejuosho was removed, we did not invite the police.”
Obasa said an innocent person should not be discredited, and there must be proof of allegations showing exactly what he has done.
“The Lagos State House of Assembly is above common standard of excellence.
“I appreciate the members of the governance advisory council and Governor Babajide Olusola Aanwo-Olu of the state. He is my brother and he always calls me his younger brother.”
Obasa was impeached on January 13 by more than two-thirds of the 40-member legislative house over alleged misconduct and sundry offences.
His Deputy, Mojisola Meranda, was immediately elected the new speaker, becoming the first female to take charge of the legislative body in the South-West state.
Having Governorship Ambition Not A Sin — Obasa
Embattled former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, says nursing an ambition to become the governor of Lagos in 2027 is not a sin.
During a press briefing at his residence in the GRA area of Ikeja, the Lagos capital, on Saturday, Obasa challenged any leader in the state to tell Lagosians when and where he told them he wanted to succeed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Obasa said, “Having (an) ambition to become a governor is not a sin. Is it However, I said it on the floor of the house when the budget was presented that I had no thoughts of governorship but that does not mean I am not qualified or that I lack experience and I still maintain that.”
“I’m still the speaker until the right thing has been done,” he said, faulting the militarisation of the assembly complex during the impeachment process. He also claimed his removal as speaker took place in his absence — when he was out of Nigeria.
We stand by our decision to impeach Obasa – Lagos Assembly
The Lagos State House of Assembly has reacted to comments made by the immediate past Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa, that his removal was unconstitutional.
Salient Times reports that members of the Assembly on January 13 impeached Obasa over alleged gross misconduct and abuse of office.
His removal also came a few weeks after he was accused of spending N17 billion on a gate to the assembly complex.
Obasa, who was away during the impeachment saga, was welcomed back home by his loyalists at his Joel Ogunnaike GRA residence in Ikeja, on Saturday.
Responding to questions from newsmen shortly after he addressed his supporters, Obasa insisted that he remained the Speaker.
“My status in the house? I strongly believe I am still the speaker until the right thing has been done. 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. But let’s do it the way it should be done,” he said.
However, the House, in a statement on Saturday signed on its behalf by Ogundipe Olukayode said Obasa’s removal was carried out by over two-thirds majority of members.
The lawmakers emphasised their commitment to good governance and maintaining a harmonious relationship with other arms of government, stressing that the assembly’s decision to remove Obasa as Speaker was within their constitutional rights.
The statement reads: “It is imperative to clarify that over two-thirds of the members of the Lagos State House of Assembly are solidly united behind the new Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda.
“We stand by the decision taken to impeach Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa and we shall defend our position to the latter.
“As elected representatives of the people of Lagos, we owe them good governance and harmonious relationships 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 is 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.
“I, therefore, appeal to the former Speaker to toe the line of peace and harmony as being followed by others, as the current intransigent posture will heat up the polity and not augur well.
“Any attempt to heat up the polity will be resisted by the majority of distinguished members who unanimously elected Rt Hon Meranda.”
