The impeached Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has faulted his removal by lawmakers.
Obasa, who broke his silence on Saturday on his removal, declared that he still remains the legitimate Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
The lawmaker representing Agege Constituency 1 was welcomed by members and supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) including LG ward Executives, members and stakeholders in the Lagos politics.
He said it was necessary for the lawmakers to “follow constitutional procedure” to remove him as speaker.
He made this known while addressing
his supporters who surged into the Speaker’s lodge in Ikeja GRA to welcome him.
The former speaker also refuted the allegations of corruption brought against him by the lawmakers during his removal, describing the alleged financial misappropriations as “impossible.”
“I am not disturbed, I am not afraid,” Obasa said of the “Developments that happened at the assembly.”
The Daily Crucible reports that 32 out of 40 lawmakers of the Lagos State House of Assembly sacked Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, January 13, 2025, over multiple allegations bordering on fraud, financial misappropriation, abuse of office and corruption.
The state legislators subsequently replaced Obasa with his deputy, Lasbat Meranda.
Meranda, who represents Apapa Constituency 1, is a former chief whip of the House.
The motion for Obasa’s removal was moved by Hon. Obafemi Saheed, representing Kosofe Constituency 2, under matter of urgent public importance, citing relevant sections of the 1999 constitution (as amended) to back the motion.
Obasa travelled out of the country to the United States of America (USA) at the time and was subsequently replaced by his deputy, Hon.Meranda.
Hon. Mojeed Fatai was elected the new Deputy Speaker of the House.
Part of the allegations levelled against Obasa included high-handedness, gross misconduct, poor leadership, lack of commitment to legislative business, lack of regard for fellow lawmakers, intimidation and suppression of legislative staff.
Other sins of the impeached Speaker according to his colleagues were financial impropriety, misappropriation of funds, lack of transparency, gross abuse of office and privileges, authoritarianism, among others.
He was alleged to always be at loggerheads with the executive arm of the State government, led by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, aside absenting himself from most state functions.
It was also gathered that the ambition of Obasa to run for the seat of governor of the state in 2027 General Election has put him against some of those eyeing that seat.
In what observers considered moves to ridicule the state’s deputy governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, who is also eyeing the governorship seat, Obasa had during the budget presentation by Governor Sanwo-Olu in November, summoned the deputy governor to report at his seat, without showing any respect for the office.
At the 2025 budget presentation, the former speaker disrespectfully said those who have ruled Lagos State in the past were not better than him, a statement which many considered as an insult to past leaders of the state and overbearing attitude to powers-that-be in the state.
To nail the former speaker’s coffin, the motion for his impeachment was seconded by Hon. Aro Moshood Abiodun, representing Ikorodu 2 and was immediately subjected to a voice vote three times by Hon. Meranda, who presided over the proceedings and all the lawmakers shouted “yes” in support of the impeachment while none of them said “nay” to counter the motion.
Ar the Lagos Assembly complex, Hon. Abiodun Tobun, representing Epe Constituency 1, told newsmen that the impeachment was a unanimous decision by the lawmakers. Tobun emphasised that the action was necessary to protect the integrity of the legislature and the state.
“The lawmakers agreed to take this step to safeguard our image and Lagos State. Change is inevitable, and we felt it was time for a new direction,” Tobun said.
He explained that the 1999 Constitution (as emended) empowers the Assembly to regulate its proceedings and members of the House reached a consensus to end Obasa’s tenure.
Following the impeachment, Hon. Mojisola Meranda Lasbat was sworn-in as the new Speaker, with Hon. Fatai Ajibola assuming the role of Deputy Speaker.
“All standing committees and principal officer positions have been dissolved. We are determined to work together to elevate the Assembly and deliver on our responsibilities to Lagosians,” Tobun added.
The lawmakers assured the public of their commitment to the progress and stability of Lagos State under the new leadership.
