Breaking: Obasa stages comeback bid, says I remain Lagos Assembly Speaker
Trouble is brewing in President Tinubu’s Lagos as impeached speaker, Mudashiru Obasa told a mammoth crowd at his Ikeja residence on Saturday that he remains the Speaker of the Lagos House of Assembly. Mr. Obasa says his impeachment did not follow due process, neither did the election of Mrs Mojisola Meranda as his replacement follow the law. He told the gathering of APC members from the Mandate Group at his official residence in Ikeja on Saturday, that he remained the speaker until the House impeaches him through due process. He alleged that a fake mace was used to install Meranda as speaker and that hundreds of policemen invaded the House on the day of his removal in order to intimidate his loyalists. READ ALSO: Troops neutralise Abu Mosaje, terrorist commander, gun runner, 96 others Obasa also alleged that some policemen invaded his official residence on the same day and prevented members of his family and every other person in the house from coming out. Obasa described all the alleged actions as illegalities,vowing to challenge his removal in court. He also vowed to go back to the House and resume as speaker. ” The speakership is not Obasa’s title, it is like a general when you go to war, you may come out or you may not come back. So, I am not disturbed, perturbed or worried about the purported removal. “However, things must be done properly.The Lagos State Commissioner of Police led police officers to invade the State Assembly on the day of the removal, while over 200 policemen also invaded my private residence in Agege. “They also blocked the gate to my official residence, while they prevented members of my family from going out of the house. “I am not afraid of being removed, I have been a member of the House for almost 22 years and speaker for almost 10 years and I think i have contributed my quota. “But why did they have to break the chamber and use a fake mace to carry out the removal? “If they say they don’t want me again it is fine , but let them follow due procedure. “My status in the House is that I believe strongly that I remain the speaker of the Assembly until the right procedure to remove me is followed.”, he said. READ ALSO: Out-of-school children: UNICEF moves to cut number in Kano, Katsina, Jigawa He debunked the allegation that spent N16 billion to construct a gate at the Assembly complex ,describing the allegation as ridiculous. According to him ,it is not possible to construct any gate with N16 billion. Obasa also debunked the allegation that he bought 40 Hilux vans for N40 billion as speaker . The former speaker said he had not done anything wrong to warrant his removal ,adding he had lived up to expectations serving as lawmaker for over two decades. Obasa said he believed so much in the House Assembly and would never partake in its destruction. He appreciated members of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) and Gov. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu for the love for the party and the state. READ ALSO: FCT doctors suspend warning strike, following Wike’s intervention Obasa also thanked the First Lady, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu for her support , and President Bola Tinubu, who he said would always be his father. 32 out of the 40 members on Jan. 13 removed Obasa at a plenary over allegation of gross misconduct and financial impropriety. The House immediately replaced him with Meranda .
Impeachment: Lagos Assembly offers the olive branch
The Lagos State House of Assembly has pledged harmonious relationship with the executive arm of government. The Chairman, House Committee on Information, Mr. Stephen Ogundipe (APC- Oshodi/Isolo I) ,made the pledge in an interview with journalists on Monday in Lagos. Mr. Ogundipe made the pledge following the impeachment of Mr Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker on Monday. A total of 32 out of the 40 lawmakers ,at an emergency plenary, impeached Obasa via voice votes over alleged gross misconduct. The Assembly subsequently elected and swore in Deputy Speaker ,Mrs Mojisola Meranda (APC-Apapa I) to replace Obasa. READ ALSO: Air Peace Air fairs: Keyamo lashes out at FCCPC The House also suspended the Clerk of the Assembly, Mr Olalekan Onafeko,indefinitely during the plenary. Ogundipe said under the new Speaker, the Assembly would ensure the executive arm of government ,led by Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu,, enjoy the support of the legislature. The lawmaker said a good relationship between the executive and legislature was necessary to achieve the development goals of the current administration in the state. According to him, the new Speaker has shown commitment and passion to collaborate with other arms of government, especially the executive, for the success of the administration . READ ALSO: Kano Emirate Tussle: Kingmaker appeals Court of Appeal judgement “Today, there was a change of leadership in the Lagos State House of Assembly as the former Speaker, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, was removed and his former deputy ,Mrs Mojisola Miranda ,was elected as new Speaker. “There is no division in the House over the development .All members have pledged allegiance to the new Speaker, Mrs Mojisola Meranda , and she has since settled down in office. “She has assured of legislature’s harmonious working relationship with the executive and that all hands must be on deck to ensure continued development of the state,” Ogundipe said.