Why LAHA impeached Speaker Obasa
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Lagos lawmakers have listed perpetual lateness to legislative businesses, highhandedness and inciting members against each other as some of the ‘sins’ over which Mudashiru Obasa was impeached as Speaker of the state assembly
Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA), on Monday, impeached the embattled Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, representing Agege, over alleged financial misappropriation.
The lawmakers replaced Obasa with his erstwhile deputy, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, representing Apapa I. This makes her the first substantive female Speaker in the history of the state assembly.
The Assembly also removed the Clerk, Olalekan Onafeko, following the impeachment of Obasa.
Obasa, was in a gestapo manner, impeached by members, ending his 10-year reign as speaker, and Onafeko, who was said to have been brought to the assembly by Obasa singlehandedly.
The impeached speaker and Onafeko were also behind the ban on journalists covering the activities of the assembly for over two years ago.
Consequently, armed security personnel of the Rapid Response Squad, RRS; Lagos Task Force, and state police command have taken over the premises and environs turning back every motorist and person.
Meanwhile, some miscreants who were trying to invade the complex were intercepted, arrested and clamped into a waiting Black Maria.
Some charms and amulets were also recovered from the miscreants believed to be supporters of Obasa from Agege Constituency.
Saheed, in line with provision of section 92(2) (C) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, accused Obasa of gross misconduct and poor leadership, which included perpetual lateness to legislative sections and meetings; highhandedness and lack of regard of members; gross abuse of office and privileges; intimidation and oppression of members by inciting them against one another amongst others.
He mentioned that Obasa also practices an authoritarian and undemocratic leadership style in discharging his duties.
He, therefore, moved the motion for impeachment.
Following the adoption of the motion, the impeachment was made by the 32 members through a voice vote.
Subsequently, Meranda emerged as the new speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, while Fatai Mojeed emerged as the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly.
In a related development, the House also suspended the Clerk of the Assembly, Olalekan Onafeko. He has been replaced with Mr. Abubakar Ottun as the Acting Clerk of the House.