The immediate past Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa is insisting that he remains the speaker of the House, describing his removal as unlawful.
He claimed that the impeachment was carried out with the instrumentality of a fake mace.
Speaking during a welcome event held in his honour at the Ikeja GRA on Saturday, Obasa asserted that the process that led to his impeachment on January 13, 2025, for alleged gross misconduct and abuse of office, did not follow constitutional procedures.
Obasa while addressing supporters from Agege, Alimosho, and Kosofe Local Government Areas, expressed outrage over the involvement of law enforcement officers during the impeachment.
“Early in the morning of that day, policemen invaded the House of Assembly, led by the state commissioner of police. My house in Agege was surrounded by over 200 policemen. My family was placed under house arrest.
“If you want to achieve something, do it well and within the confines of the law,” he stated.
Obasa also alleged that the mace used during the impeachment session was fake, claiming he had hidden the official maces of the assembly while out of the country.
However, during a meeting convened by President Bola Tinubu with Lagos legislators, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and other stakeholders, it was revealed that the mace used was an older one from the assembly’s former building.
Sources disclosed that President Tinubu expressed displeasure over the impeachment, stating it was conducted without his approval.
Read also: Lagos legislators impeach Obasa, Meranda takes over
However, he reportedly reminded Obasa that “speakership is not a birthright” and urged him to accept the outcome. Tinubu, however, directed the new leadership to grant Obasa access to his belongings in the speaker’s lodge and guest house.
Obasa’s impeachment followed allegations of misconduct, including financial impropriety.
Following Obasa’s removal, his deputy, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, was unanimously elected as the new speaker, making her the first female to hold the position in Lagos State.
Obasa, who has represented Agege Constituency I in the Lagos Assembly since 2007, served as speaker from 2015 until his impeachment.
Despite his removal, he vowed to remain a voice for his constituents and called for adherence to due process in legislative matters.