The former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has strongly rejected the impeachment decision made by the lawmakers, asserting that constitutional procedures were not properly followed during the process. He made these remarks in his first public address since being removed from office on January 13.
In his public speech, Obasa denied all allegations of corruption and financial misconduct that had been leveled against him. The former Speaker, who was abroad when the impeachment took place, expressed his disbelief and disappointment, especially after being replaced by former Deputy Speaker Mojisola Meranda. Obasa addressed a large gathering of his supporters at the Speaker's Lodge in Ikeja, Lagos, where he refuted accusations of mismanagement of funds, overspending on public projects, and other claims, labeling them as politically motivated and unfounded.
During his speech, Obasa emphasized his extensive experience as a lawmaker, stating, “I’ve been a lawmaker for over two decades, the longest-serving in the House. If there are corruption allegations against me, they must be proven.” He stressed that the accusations against him were simply part of a political attack aimed at undermining his reputation and leadership.
Furthermore, Obasa accused Lagos State Police Commissioner Isola Olawale of being involved in the impeachment process by deploying police officers to invade both the Assembly and his private residences. He raised concerns about the legitimacy of the entire procedure, adding that it lacked transparency and due process. Despite the impeachment, Obasa maintained that he was still the legitimate Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly and challenged lawmakers to follow the appropriate legal procedures if they wished to remove him from office.
Obasa declared, “I am not afraid of being removed, but it must be done properly. Lagos is too important to be governed with illegality.” This statement reflects his belief in the necessity of maintaining law and order, especially in the political processes that govern the state.
Meanwhile, Anthony Adefuye, a member of the Governance Advisory Council, voiced his support for Obasa, expressing concerns that the impeachment process may have been flawed. However, members of the Lagos State Assembly defended their decision, asserting that more than two-thirds of the members had supported the motion for Obasa's removal.
Political analysts and legal experts have urged Obasa to pursue his grievances through legal channels, suggesting that he should take the matter to court rather than escalate the situation further. Some analysts even warned that his current actions might lead to “political death” if not approached carefully and strategically. This ongoing debate has brought attention to the broader issue of the ease with which legislative leaders can be removed in Nigeria, with calls for constitutional reforms to ensure that such processes are conducted with greater transparency, fairness, and accountability.