OBASA’s impeachment allegedly linked to his gubernatorial ambition

Wednesday, January 15, 2025 - The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has addressed claims of President Bola Tinubu’s involvement in the impeachment of the immediate past Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa.

On Monday, the members of the Lagos State House of Assembly impeached Obasa and named Mojisola Meranda as his replacement.

Shortly after Obasa was impeached as Speaker, the lawmakers said their action was aimed at safeguarding the integrity of the legislature and Lagos State.

Stressing that they’ve had enough of Obasa, the lawmakers explained that his impeachment was a change of “baton.”

According to the lawmakers: “It’s just a change of baton, only death that is constant, so change is inevitable.

“The members of parliament today decided to change the leadership of the House and you know that the constitution made it clear that the house has the power to regulate its proceedings.

“So the members of the House felt that they have had enough of Obasa and today we have unanimously agreed that Miranda should become the new Speaker of the House.

“The House as you have seen, have resolved to work together and ensure we move the parliament to the next level.

“We hold our constituents and Lagos State a duty of ensuring that the sanctity and integrity of the house is restored and that is why we all unanimously agreed to carry out this action to save our image and this state.”

Following her emergence as Speaker, Meranda and lawmakers loyal to her met with members of the Lagos State Governor’s Advisory Council, GAC.

Speaking after the meeting at the Lagos House in Marina, the new Speaker said she met with GAC members to seek their blessings.

She said: “We are here to brief them about what happened at the House of Assembly yesterday and to seek their blessing which we have gotten.”

While Obasa recently denied claims of nursing a governorship ambition, the erstwhile Speaker battled with some scandals while occupying the position.

Obasa faced widespread criticism for allegedly allocating N17 billion to construct a special gate for Speakers at the Lagos Assembly complex. While he denied the accusations, he never disclosed the actual cost of the controversial project.

The necessity of the gate was questioned since the Assembly already had three gates.

Allegations also surfaced about N200 million being spent on a thanksgiving event that never took place, further tarnishing his reputation.

Obasa attempted to convert Lagos’ 37 Local Council Development Areas into Administrative Areas under a proposed law. The move was said to have displeased Tinubu who reportedly cautioned Obasa to abandon the bill.

Despite the warning, the Assembly, under Obasa’s leadership, passed the bill, which is awaiting the governor’s assent.

The bill is said to have accelerated Obasa’s impeachment.

The Publicity Secretary of the state chapter of APC, Seye Oladejo said Obasa’s impeachment showed that the parliament and all arms of government enjoys independence in Lagos State.

Speaking with DAILY POST, Oladejo said: “His impeachment is not a party affair, it’s the entire business of the House of Assembly, it has nothing to do with the party.

“They enjoy their independence as a major tier in this democracy, so whatsoever, the House has made available through the news maker and their information machinery would just suffice for now.

“The fact is since 1999 when they have been electing their leadership, it has always been the affairs of the members of the House.

“What if the House was made up of members from different parties? So which party would be able to intervene in their affair?

“So if you look at it from that angle you will see that our position is correct, we should let them enjoy their independence and it also shows the growth of democracy in Lagos State.

“There is a mutual respect between the various organs of the party, government, judiciary, executive, and legislature.”

Tinubu’s alleged involvement

Asked about Tinubu’s alleged involvement, he said: “I wouldn’t know who was involved and not involved, we only have to accept what the members of the House have put in public domain.

“The members said they decided to have a change of guard and that was it.”

“Politics is about intrigues and interests and the only thing that is permanent is your interest.

“The only thing that is permanent and constant is your interest at a particular time as a politician and that is universal, it’s not peculiar to Nigeria,” he added.

Oladejo, however, denied knowledge of the former Speaker nursing a governorship ambition.

“I’m not aware there is any ongoing governorship race right now and we won’t be having another governorship election until 2027.

“The priority of the party is to deliver on good governance and ensure that we fulfill the social contract between us and the people who voted us into power and we do not disappoint.

“And of course, If there is anything that has resemblance to an election before us, it is the party’s congress and local government election towards the middle of this year.

“So that’s my thought, and you want to show me any politician that is not ambitious? You won’t find one,” he said