CITIZENS COMPASS – The recently impeached Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, on Saturday, returned to Nigeria from the United States and has publicly announced that his impeachment was unconditional.
Recall that the former Deputy Speaker of the House, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, had been sworn-in as the Speaker following the impeachment of Obasa.
Citizens Compass reported that Obasa, who represents Agege Constituency I and has served in the Assembly since 2007, was impeached on January 13, 2025, by 32 out of the 40 lawmakers on allegations of misconduct and other offences. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reportedly described the impeachment as a “coup.” Following his removal, Deputy Speaker Mojisola Meranda was elected as the new Speaker, becoming the first female to hold the position in the South-West.
Obasa addressed his supporters insisting that he remains the Speaker.
He said his impeachment was unconstitutional saying, “To impeach a speaker, the Constitution must be followed. I’m not bothered but with that man who alleged that I took part in the removal of former Speaker Jokotade Pelumi, Deputy Speaker Funmi Tejuosho, and suspended lawmakers, due process was followed.”
Recalling past removals, he added, “Pelumi was on the floor when he was removed. Likewise, Tejuosho and those that were suspended were in the House, and there was no involvement of the police.”
Obasa accused the lawmakers of using a fake mace during his impeachment. “I was Speaker for 10 years. If I’m no longer wanted, from Allah we come and to Him, we shall return. But you cannot impeach a Speaker with a fake mace,” he stated.
He urged the lawmakers to provide evidence of the allegations against him, saying, “They should not discredit an innocent person. They should prove their allegations against me. The Lagos State House of Assembly is above common standards of excellence. I believe in the image of our institution; we must not destroy it, and I will never partake in its destruction.”
Obasa expressed his appreciation to Governor Sanwo-Olu, describing him as a brother. “I appreciate the members of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) and Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu of the state. He is my brother, and he always calls me his younger brother,” he said.
The embattled lawmaker also thanked President Tinubu and his wife, Senator Remi Tinubu, referring to the President as his political father. “I have been with the President since his days in the Social Democratic Party (SDP), and he will always be my father,” Obasa said.
The leadership tussle within the Lagos State Assembly remains unresolved as both factions continue to lay claim to the Speakership.
Earlier, Obasa’s supporters gathered in large numbers at his residence on Joel Ogunnaike Street, GRA Ikeja to receive him.
The crowd wore pro-Obasa attire such as vests and caps to indicate their support for the embattled leader.
Meanwhile, members of Lagos State House of Assembly have thrown their weight behind Meranda.
The members expressed this in a statement signed by one of them, Hon Ogundipe Stephen Olukayode.
“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. As elected representative of the people of Lagos, we owe them good governance and 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 Speaker for the 10th Assembly and we also at the said Plenary took a 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.
Peace we want in Lagos and Peace we will achieve.”
