Why Lagos Speaker Obasa Was Removed

The Lagos State House of Assembly has impeached Speaker Mudashiru Obasa over allegations of gross misconduct. Obasa, who was in the United States at the time, faced accusations of misappropriation of funds, high-handedness, and a lack of transparency in managing the Assembly’s affairs. His impeachment was met with jubilation among lawmakers.

Femi Saheed, representing Kosofe Constituency II, moved the motion for impeachment, citing Section 92(2)(C) of the 1999 Constitution. Saheed accused Obasa of perpetual lateness, high-handedness, intimidation of members, and poor leadership. Aro Moshood Abiodun (Ikorodu II) seconded the motion, which was supported by 32 out of 40 lawmakers in a voice vote.

Obasa, who had served as Speaker since 2015 and represented Agege Constituency I, was succeeded by his deputy, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, of Apapa Constituency I. Meranda’s election marked a historic moment as she became the first female Speaker of the Lagos Assembly. Fatai Mojeed (Ibeju-Lekki I) was elected Deputy Speaker.

In the wake of the impeachment, the Clerk of the Assembly, Olalekan Onafeko, was suspended and replaced by Abubakar Taiwo Ottun in an acting capacity. The Assembly premises were heavily secured by police during the proceedings, with officers positioned both inside and outside the complex.

Protests erupted outside the Assembly as a group from Obasa’s constituency demonstrated in his support. The protesters were detained in a Black Maria, where they sang solidarity songs. Meanwhile, workers in the Assembly were reportedly in high spirits, with Obasa’s photographs removed from various locations within the premises.

Fuad Oki, a chieftain of the APC in Lagos, described Obasa’s removal as overdue, citing his inability to heed the party’s repeated calls for reconciliation. Oki dismissed claims that the impeachment was linked to Obasa’s rumored governorship ambitions, emphasizing that the Speaker’s conduct in recent months had alienated party leaders and lawmakers.

Obasa faced numerous allegations of financial impropriety during his tenure, including claims of mismanaging N44 billion allocated for vehicles and N15.6 billion for office construction. He was also accused of awarding contracts to himself through proxies and spending N80 million for lawmakers’ wives’ training in Dubai. In 2020, the EFCC questioned him over ownership of over 60 bank accounts.

His tenure also saw controversies such as the rejection of 17 out of 39 commissioner nominees in 2023 and disputes over the contentious 2024 Lagos State Local Council Administration law.

Under the new leadership, the House has pledged to foster a harmonious relationship with the executive arm of government. Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Stephen Ogundipe (APC- Oshodi/Isolo I), stated that the Assembly is united under Meranda’s leadership and committed to supporting the state’s development goals.