In a swift response to Mr. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa’s rejection of his impeachment as speaker, the Lagos State House of Assembly says his removal remains valid and irreversible.
The lawmakers, therefore, reaffirmed its commitment to the leadership of the new Speaker, Mrs. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda.
In a statement by Mr. Ogundipe Stephen Olukayode on behalf of the Assembly, the lawmakers declared their unity and determination to uphold the decision taken on January 13.
Persecondnews earlier reported Mr. Mudashiru Obasa while addressing his supporters on Saturday (January 25) in Lagos that “he is still the rightful speaker.”
Obasa’s impeachment came after allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of office, with 90% of lawmakers voting to remove him – 32 of the 40-member legislature.
However, Obasa has denied any wrongdoing and insists that he remains the rightful Speaker of the House.
Addressing large supporters on Saturday at the Speaker’s Lodge, 47, Ikeja GRA, Obasa said that it was important for the lawmakers to “follow constitutional procedure” to remove him as speaker.
The former speaker also dismissed the allegations of corruption brought against him by the lawmakers to justify his removal, describing the alleged financial misappropriations as “impossible.”
Obasa told his supporters: “I am not afraid of being removed as the speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly but the right process was not followed.
“I believe I am still the speaker until they follow the right process.”
But the lawmakers disowned Obasa, saying: “Over two-thirds of the members are solidly united behind the new Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda.
“We owe the people of Lagos good governance and a harmonious relationship with other arms of government, and we stand by our collective decision.”
The lawmakers criticized the former Speaker’s attempts to contest the impeachment, describing his actions as “uncalled for and unparliamentary.”
They maintained that the decision to remove him was reached through due process during a plenary session.
Ogundipe stated:“The majority of members who elected Rt. Hon. Obasa as Speaker for the 10th Assembly also decided, in the same spirit of democracy, to remove him. We unanimously stand by the new Speaker, and nothing has changed.”
The statement further emphasized the constitutional authority of lawmakers to make such decisions, asserting that all members were elected from their respective constituencies with the statutory power to remove principal officers when necessary.
Advising the former speaker to prioritize peace and harmony, Ogundipe said:“I appeal to the former Speaker to toe the line of peace as others have. This intransigent posture will only heat up the polity and is not in the interest of Lagos State.
“Any attempt to disrupt the peace will be firmly resisted by the majority who elected Rt. Hon. Meranda.”
Persecondnews recalls that the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) in Lagos State with former governors including President Bola Tinubu, deputy governors, elders of the All Progressives Congress as members, has already endorsed Obasa’s removal.
Obasa had demonstrated public insubordination and confrontation to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu during the presentation of the 2025 budget in December 2024 in the Assembly chambers.
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