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Obasa: I Remain Lagos Speaker
Obasa: I Remain Lagos Speaker
“I am back as Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly,” Mudashiru Obasa declared yesterday after returning to the chamber, one and half months after he was removed by his colleagues.
He repudiated his removal by 36 of the 40 lawmakers, saying it was a nullity.
Obasa arrived at the Assembly complex with two lawmakers – Ayinde Akinsanya (Mushin 1 Constituency) and Noheem Adams (Mushin Constituency 2) – accompanied by policemen and a handful of supporters.
Ironically, Mrs. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, who was installed as Speaker following Obasa’s removal, had her police security detail withdrawn.
They were returned later, according to Commissioner of Police Jimoh Moshood.
Obasa said he presided over plenary and thereafter adjourned sine dine.
But some of the anti-Obasa lawmakers who shoved him aside on January 13 showed up at the Assembly complex, fuming over his action.
They urged the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state to intervene.
The aggrieved lawmakers, led by House Committee Chairman on Information, Strategy and Security, Stephen Ogundipe, addressed reporters at the Assembly complex in Alausa Ikeja and moved to State APC secretariat on Acme Road, Ogba, to lay their complaints before state chairman Cornelius Ojelabi.
They reiterated their rejection of Obasa as Speaker, warning against the consequences of his return.
The Publicity Secretary, Seye Oladejo, who confirmed their visit to the party office, said the situation was under control.
“The party has received complaints from the lawmakers. The party is stepping in. In one or two weeks, the party would have resolved everything,” he added.
Also, a highly respected party elder, who was part of the reconciliation committee set up by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to resolve the conflict, said there was no cause for alarm.
“All the parties in the dispute just have to calm down for peace to reign. There is a need for patience,” he stressed.
The former secretary of Lagos APC and two-term House of Assembly member, Lanre Ogunyemi, recalled that initially, the party had frowned at the resort to removal without carrying the leadership along.
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The party leaders and elders are bothered by the indiscipline and neglect of channels for ventilation of grievances and crisis resolution. The Lagos APC has a tradition, methods and Protocol.”
Obasa, who was abroad when his colleagues removed him, told reporters on his return that his removal was unconstitutional and unacceptable.
He also filed a case in court seeking the nullification of his colleagues’ actions.
The Assembly crisis has also polarised the highest advisory organ, the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), the state chapter of the ruling party, the traditional institution and the state government.
Obasa, who spoke with reporters, maintained that the position of the Speaker is not vacant, stressing that he was removed in error.
He said: “There is nothing like impeachment and I have said it openly. The impeachment or removal or whatever it is called is not undemocratic and unconstitutional.
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