Why we impeached Obasa, dissolved all committees, removed Clerk— Lawmakers
Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, yesterday, impeached the embattled Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, over alleged financial misappropriation, and chose his deputy, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, representing Apapa Constituency I. The development made her the first female Speaker in the history of the House.
The Assembly also removed Clerk of the House, Olalekan Onafeko, and dissolved all House committees.
The new Speaker Meranda said she would unveil her plans next week, saying “I will not be able to talk now.”
Although the former speaker maintained that he was innocent of the accusations, the impeachment ended his 10-year reign as speaker, which makes him the longest speaker of the House since its inception in the Republic.
Obasa brought Onafeko to the Assembly; they became close confidants and were behind the ban on journalists covering the activities of the House for over two years now.
The lawmakers moved against Obasa over alleged misappropriation of funds and lack of transparency in the management of the Assembly via a motion under the Matter of Urgent Public Importance by Femi Saheed.
Saheed, citing Section 92(2) (C) of the Constitution, accused Obasa of gross misconduct and poor leadership, which included perpetual lateness to legislative sessions and meetings; high-handedness and lack of regard of honourable members; gross abuse of office and privileges; intimidation and oppression of honourable members by inciting members against one another among others.
He mentioned that Obasa also practised an authoritarian and undemocratic leadership style in discharging his duties, and therefore moved the motion for his impeachment.
Following the adoption of the motion, the impeachment was made by 32 of the 40-member House through a voice vote.
Subsequently, they chose Meranda as the new speaker and Fatai Mojeed as deputy speaker.
The House also suspended indefinitely the Clerk of the Assembly, Mr Olalekan Onafeko.
He has been replaced by Mr. Abubakar Taiwo Ottun as acting Clerk of the House.
Subsequently, Abiodun Tobun, representing Epe Constituency 1, speaking with newsmen, explained why the members changed the leadership of the House.
“The Lagos State House of Assembly declared its decision to impeach Speaker Mudashiru Obasa. The impeachment was a unanimous decision by the lawmakers.
“The lawmakers agreed to take this step to safeguard our image and Lagos State. Change is inevitable, and we felt it was time for a new direction.
“All standing committees and principal office positions have been dissolved. We are determined to work together to elevate the Assembly and deliver on our responsibilities to Lagosians,” Tobun said.
He explained that the Constitution empowers the Assembly to regulate its proceedings, and members reached a consensus to end Obasa’s tenure.
Obasa reacts
Obasa said the allegation stemmed from the fear of some people over the 2027 polls which are still more than two years away.
The speaker further debunked the claim that the Assembly spent N200 million on its recently organised Thanksgiving Service for staff.
Obasa said: “It is so funny. How much is the allocation of the Assembly in the whole year that we will decide to spend N17 billion on a gate? They even claimed that we spent N200 million on thanksgiving that did not hold.”
How Sanwo-Olu received impeachment news
Meanwhile, Governor Bababjide Sanwo-Olu skipped yesterday’s Executive Council Meeting as the news of Obasa filtered in.
Sensenews gathered from a credible source that Sanwo-Olu, had stayed back at the state House, Marina, and delegated his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, to take charge of the weekly EXCO meeting, while monitoring the impeachment saga as it was unfolding.
Sanwo-Olu, at press time, was yet to make any comment on the development but multiple sources told sensenews that he welcomed the news with great optimism for a better working relationship after a frosty experience with Obasa’s leadership.
“Good riddance to bad rubbish,” the executive members were said to have echoed during the meeting which was brief as Hamzat adjourned the meeting.