A month and a half after his impeachment, Mr. Mudashiru Obasa, the ousted Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, has declared that he remains the legitimate Speaker, insisting that his removal was unconstitutional and lacked due process.
The lawmaker, representing Agege Constituency I, said he has resumed duties as the parliament’s leader.
Obasa declared his resumption on Thursday, shortly after returning to the assembly complex accompanied by police and State Security Service personnel.
Speaking to reporters on the premises of the House, Obasa said: “I have resumed, and I remain the Speaker of the Assembly.”
When asked if he had been reinstated as speaker, Obasa said: “I have never been removed. Impeachment or removal is democratic and constitutional but in doing that, you must follow the due process. I am not against that. If I do that, then I am not democratic.”
Persecondnews had reported that Obasa, alongside security officials, entered the Speaker’s Office at noon on Thursday.
The latest twist in the Lagos State House of Assembly saga unfolded after the security aides assigned to Speaker Mojisola Meranda were abruptly withdrawn.
The Assembly has been plagued by a leadership crisis since Obasa’s removal as Speaker on January 13, 2025, and the subsequent election of Meranda.
Obasa faced severe allegations from lawmakers, including poor leadership style, frequent lateness, high-handedness, disregard for colleagues and the executive, abuse of office, intimidation, oppression, and misappropriation.
In an effort to resolve the crisis, influential All Progressives Congress (APC) members, including former governors Chief Bisi Akande, Mr. Segun Osoba, and Dr. Akinwunmi Ambode, met with key stakeholders and assembly members last weekend, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive.
Sources suggest that both Obasa and Meranda might step down, paving the way for another lawmaker to take the helm.
Chief Muraina Taiwo, a member of the Governor’s Advisory Council(GAC), had indicated that one of the seven lawmakers from Lagos West is being considered as the new Speaker.
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