Removal: Obasa fights back, insists on due process

By Olasunkanmi Akoni & Ebunoluwa Sessou

The embattled and ousted Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa has maintained that his removal as Speaker was unconstitutional, saying that the due process was not followed.

Recall that Obasa was removed by 35 out 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, Mojisola Lasbat-Meranda.

Obasa, spoke on Saturday amid cheers from members of Mandate Movement and politicians from some local governments in the state at the official residence of the Lagos Speaker in GRA, Ikeja.

The former speaker stressed that the allegations made against him by the lawmakers could not be substantiated, and 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 will debunk all the allegations levelled 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 added that it was important that the due process ought to have been followed before his removal.

According to Obasa, 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, while they prevented 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 common standard of excellence.

“I believe in the image of our institution, we must not destroy it and I will never partake in it’s 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 President Bola Tinubu and his wife, Remi who he said would always be his father.

He recalled that he had been with President Tinubu during his days in the Social Democratic Party, SDP, adding that he never expected to be Speaker in 2015, but that Tinubu supported him even when everyone was against him.

GAC okay removal

Recall that members of the State House of Assembly had briefed the Governance Advisory Committee, GAC, about the recent leadership change in the House.

GAC, is the highest political decision-making body of the APC in Lagos and all decisions are bidding on members.

The meeting, held at Lagos House in Marina, was attended by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, lawmakers, and Lagos All Progressives Congress, APC leaders.

During the meeting, several lawmakers shared their experiences under the leadership of the former Speaker, Obasa, who was impeached over alleged gross misconduct, highhandedness, corruption among others.

After the briefing, the GAC formally endorsed the change in leadership. Of Mojisola Meranda, the newly elected Speaker.

The Conference 57 of Local Government and Local Council Development Area Chairmen also congratulated Meranda on her historic election as the first female Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

In a statement signed by Chairman Alabi Kolade David and Public Relations Officer Olusesan Daini, the council chairmen praised Meranda’s dedication, competence, and service commitment. They also expressed their full support for her leadership and pledged to work together to ensure a successful tenure.

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