Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly yesterday cautioned impeached Speaker Mudashiru Obasa against heating up the polity with his claim to a seat from which he was removed by majority lawmakers....CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE➤
Obasa, had denied allegations of corruption leveled against him, describing them as baseless and politically motivated.
A statement by the House signed by the lawmaker representing Oshodi State Constituency I, Ogundipe Olukayode, said the majority of the members stand by the decision of January 13, when they impeached Obasa and elected Mrs. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda as a replacement.
According to Ogundipe, the same majority that elected Obasa as Speaker of the 10th Assembly last year removed him on January 13.
The statement reads: “It is imperative to clarify that over 2/3 of the members of the Lagos State House of Assembly are solidly united behind the new Speaker, Rt Hon Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, therefore we stood by the decision taken on the 13th of January where Rt Hon Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa was impeached and we shall defend our positions to the latter.
“As elected representatives of the people of Lagos, we owe them good governance and harmonious relationship with other arms of government.
“The position of the House remains the same and nothing has changed. The position being canvassed by former Speaker, Rt Hon Obasa is uncalled for and unparliamentary.
“The majority of members elected Rt. Hon Mudashiru Obasa as the Speaker for the 10th Assembly and we also at the said Plenary took the majority decision to remove him and stand by the new Speaker so, nothing has changed.
“All members were elected from their various constituencies across the state and we all have the inalienable rights under the necessary Statutory orders to remove their Principal officers, including the Speaker.
“I, therefore, appeal to the former Speaker to toe the line of peace and harmony as being followed by others, as the current intransigent posture will heat up the polity and not augur well.
“Any attempt to heat the polity will be resisted by the majority of distinguished members who unanimously elected Rt Hon Meranda. Peace we want in Lagos and Peace we will achieve.”
Speaking on Saturday at a welcome event held in his honor in Ikeja GRA, and attended by his supporters from Agege, Alimosho, and Kosofe local government areas, Obasa refuted allegations of financial mismanagement, including claims that he spent ₦16 billion to construct a gate for the Assembly.
The former Speaker also addressed accusations that the House purchased over 45 Hilux vehicles for lawmakers at an inflated cost of ₦47 billion.
He refuted the claim, stating that if divided, it would imply that each vehicle was worth ₦1 billion, which he deemed unrealistic.
Obasa insisted that the allegations were attempts to discredit his leadership and integrity, emphasizing his long-standing commitment to legislative duties and service to Lagos State.
“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 N1 billion each and 40 pieces for N40 billion? Talking about Thanksgiving, they should compare the one they said we spent N200 million on and the one organized by the state government.
“I am not disturbed or perturbed, and I am not afraid. I will debunk all the allegations leveled 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.
“For me, I am not disturbed, perturbed, or afraid. I will address these allegations head-on and prove my innocence,” he asserted.
Reacting to his reported removal, Obasa clarified that there was no impeachment process in the Assembly but a removal attempt that did not follow due legislative procedures.
“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.’’ ...CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE➤
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