Lagos Assembly Speaker Crisis: Obasa Insists on Due Process, Rejects Impeachment Attempt

The Lagos Assembly Speaker crisis has intensified as the ousted Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has insisted that his removal must follow due process. Speaking on TVC, Obasa defended his decision to preside over a plenary session with only four lawmakers in attendance, emphasizing that he cannot force members to participate.

“I can’t force people to attend plenary. How many of them were present? If they say four, the most important thing is that we held the session,” Obasa asserted.

Legitimacy of the Plenary in Question

The Lagos Assembly, which comprises 40 members, saw a majority of lawmakers absent from Thursday’s plenary session despite being present at the complex. However, Obasa remains adamant about his position as Speaker.

“I’m the Speaker; I remain the Speaker of the Lagos Assembly. When I became the Speaker, all my colleagues supported me,” he stated.

Questioning the process that led to Mojisola Meranda’s emergence as Speaker, he asked, “How was Mojisola Meranda elected as Speaker? By breaking into the chambers?”

Obasa reiterated that any attempt to remove him must comply with constitutional provisions.

“I want to believe that we are law-abiding. I’m not against removal, as they call it impeachment, but if you’re going to remove somebody, you must comply with the constitution,” he said.

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Political Tensions and APC Stability

Regarding the potential impact of the Lagos Assembly Speaker crisis on the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos, Obasa dismissed speculations of division within the party.

“The APC is one family in Lagos, under the same roof. Our party is not divided under the chairmanship of Cornelius Ojelabi and under our leaders in the GAC,” he asserted.

He also refuted any claims linking the ongoing crisis to the 2027 governorship election.

“This issue has nothing to do with governorship ambition. Sanwo-Olu is doing well; no reasonable person should be thinking of governorship now. Sanwo-Olu has two more years,” he concluded.

Obasa Demands Due Process in His Removal

The embattled Speaker insists that his removal must follow the same due process used for his appointment. According to PUNCH Online, Obasa made an unexpected appearance at the Lagos Assembly complex, declared himself Speaker, and presided over a session with only four members.

During an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, he maintained that he was not against being removed but that the rules must be followed.

“First, we were on recess. A motion was moved to adjourn till February 18 by the Majority Leader and was well seconded. So, I went on an official trip to Congress in the United States of America. The second trip was to be in Canada for a programme organised for some members of the House.”

Obasa explained that, by law, only the Speaker can reconvene the Assembly, a process he claims was ignored.

“We adjourned properly. When reconvening, it must go through the majority leader, the clerk, and the speaker. According to the rules of the House, only the Speaker can reconvene. If that process is not followed, then it doesn’t matter what forgery is being attempted,” he stated.

Meranda’s Withdrawal and Security Detail Controversy

Obasa further revealed that Mojisola Meranda, who was named as his successor, had withdrawn from the Speakership race following a meeting with the party leadership. He claimed that her withdrawal led to the removal of her security detail.

“When my security personnel were withdrawn, even while I was not in the country, without my knowledge or consent, did I complain? I did not. There was a meeting in Marina, attended by all party leaders and House members. During that meeting, Meranda openly stated that she had stepped down and resigned. When you resign from an office, the paraphernalia of that office is naturally taken away,” he stated.

Obasa Dismisses Claims of Disrespecting Governor Sanwo-Olu

When asked whether his troubles stemmed from his ambition to become governor or from alleged disrespect toward Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Obasa refuted such claims.

“It is not a sin to have ambition—let’s correct that. Secondly, the Governor is my brother, my leader, and my everything. I have no reason to disrespect him.”

He added, “If I have taken any action that seemed disrespectful, it was likely unconscious. There is no reason for me to do such a thing. The governor is number one in our state.”

Uncertain Future as Crisis Deepens

Despite Obasa’s insistence on legitimacy, the Lagos Assembly Speaker crisis continues to escalate, raising concerns about political stability in the state.

As the situation unfolds, all eyes remain on the Lagos Assembly to see whether constitutional processes will be followed to resolve the leadership dispute.

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Dayo Adesulu, Online Editor, SEO Expert.