The former Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, has broken his silence on his recent impeachment, saying he remained the legitimate speaker of the assembly because his Impeachment was not constitutional and did not follow due process.
Obasa was removed by 35 of the 40 members of the assembly on January 13, 2025 over allegations of misconduct and mismanagement of funds and replaced with his former deputy, Rt. Hon Mojisola Lawal-Meranda.
Obasa spoke yesterday amidst cheers from members of the Mandate Movement and politicians from some local governments in the state at the official residence of the Lagos speaker in GRA, Ikeja.
He emphasised that the allegations made against him by the lawmakers could not be substantiated, adding that he is the most experienced lawmaker in the assembly having been elected six times since 2003.
“I thank you for your support and dedication. I will take this advantage to debunk the allegations that were circulated and raised about me
“Is it possible to construct an ordinary gate with N16 billion? It is not the wall of Jericho or the wall that demarcated the United States of America and Mexico.
“How can they say we bought one Hilux bus for N1billion each and that we bought 40 pieces for N40 billion. Talking about thanksgiving, they should compare the one they said we spent N200 million on and the one organised by the state government.
“I am not disturbed or perturbed and I am not afraid. I believe I am still the speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly. I will debunk all the allegations leveled against me by the House.
“I have not done anything wrong. I have been a lawmaker for over two decades and I am the longest serving lawmaker in the House,” he said.
The former speaker stated further that it was important that the due process ought to have been followed before his removal.
According to him, the Lagos State commissioner of police led police officers to invade the state assembly on the day of the removal, adding that over 200 policemen also invaded his private residence in Agege and blocked the gate preventing members of his family from going out of the house.
“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.
“When former speaker, Rt. Hon Jokotola 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.
“They should not discredit an innocent person, they should prove their allegations against me.
The Lagos State House of Assembly is above the common standard of excellence.
“I believe in the image of our institution, we must not destroy it and I will never partake in its destruction.
“I appreciate the members of the Governance 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 stated.
Obasa also thanked Nigeria’s first lady, Mrs Oluremi Tinunu and President Bola Tinubu, whom he said would always be his father.
He said, “I had been with President Tinubu during his days in the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and I never expected to be speaker in 2015 when he supported me even as everyone was against me.”
In a reaction to Obasa’s rejection of his impeachment, the Lagos State House of Assembly declared that his removal remained valid and final.
In a statement signed by Hon. Ogundipe Stephen Olukayode on behalf of the assembly, the lawmakers reiterated their unified support for the new speaker, Rt. Hon. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, emphasising that the decision to impeach Obasa on January 13 was made with the backing of over two-thirds of the members.
“There is no ambiguity. Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa was impeached, and nothing has changed. The House remains steadfast in its commitment to good governance and harmonious relations with other arms of government,” the statement said.
Highlighting the legitimacy of their action, the lawmakers noted that all members, representing various constituencies across Lagos State, have the constitutional right to remove principal officers, including the speaker.
“We appeal to the former speaker to embrace peace and harmony as his current posture risks heating up the polity, which is not in the best interest of Lagos,” the statement added, warning that any attempt to disrupt the assembly’s unity would be resisted.
‘’With Rt. Hon. Meranda firmly at the helm, the assembly reaffirms its commitment to deliver peace and good governance to the people of Lagos. Peace we want in Lagos, and peace we will achieve,” the statement concluded.
By Obasa George Okojie @TheLEADERSHIP
