UPDATED: I Remain Lagos Assembly Speaker, Obasa Rejects Impeachment

The impeached Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has declared that he remains the Speaker despite his removal by lawmakers.

Obasa stated this on Saturday during a welcome event organised in his honour by supporters at Ikeja GRA.

Obasa was recently impeached by a majority of his colleagues over allegations of misconduct.

Following his removal, Mojisola Meranda, representing Apapa Constituency I, was elected as the new Speaker. Meranda, who was sworn in immediately after her election, made history as the first female Speaker of the Lagos State legislature.

Addressing his impeachment, Obasa claimed that the process did not comply with constitutional procedures.

He, however, noted that he would only accept his removal if it is conducted in line with constitutional guidelines.

“I believe I am still the speaker until they follow the right process,” he said.

“I thank you for your support and dedication. I will take this opportunity to debunk the allegations that were circulated and raised about me.”

Obasa stated that on the day of his removal, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police led officers to invade the State Assembly. He further alleged that over 200 policemen stormed his private residence in Agege, blocked the gate, and restricted his family members from leaving the house.

“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.

“When former Speaker Rt. Hon. Jokotola Pelumi was removed, he was in the assembly, and we did not invite policemen. When my sister, former Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Adefunmilayo Tejuosho, was removed, we did not invite the police.

“They should not discredit an innocent person; they should prove their allegations against me. The Lagos State House of Assembly is above the common standard of excellence.

“I believe in the image of our institution. We must not destroy it, and I will never partake in its destruction.

“I appreciate the members of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) and Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu of the state. He is my brother, and he always calls me his younger brother,” he stated

Obasa denied the corruption allegations leveled against him, describing them as baseless and politically motivated.

He also refuted claims that the House purchased Hilux vehicles for lawmakers at an inflated cost of N40 billion, as well as allegations related to the construction of a gate.

“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 that we bought 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,” Obasa said.