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Former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, has criticized the process of his removal by fellow lawmakers, insisting it did not follow constitutional procedures.
Speaking for the first time about his removal on Saturday, Obasa emphasized the importance of adhering to proper legal protocols in removing a speaker.
It will be recalled on January 13th, the Assembly unanimously removed Obasa as Speaker over corruption allegations, replacing him with Hon. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, the Deputy Speaker representing Apapa I state constituency.
The 44-year-old Meranda made history as the first female Speaker of the House.
Obasa, however, denied the corruption allegations, dismissing claims of financial misappropriation as “impossible.”
Addressing his supporters shortly after meeting with newsmen, Obasa maintained that he remained the Speaker.
“My status in the house? I believe strongly I am still the speaker until the right thing has been done. If you want to remove me, remove me the proper way, and I will not contest it. I’m a Muslim and I believe in fate. But let’s do it the way it should be done,” he stated.
When asked if he planned to take legal action, he replied, “You will know. It’s a matter of time.”
Obasa addressed a large crowd of supporters at the Speaker’s Lodge, 47 Joel Ogunnaike Street, GRA Ikeja, Lagos, where he debunked the allegations against him.
“I thank you for your support and dedication. I will take this advantage to debunk the allegations that were circulated and raised about me.
“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? 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 alleged that the state Commissioner of Police led officers to invade the Assembly on the day of his removal. He added that over 200 policemen also surrounded his private residence in Agege, blocking the gate and preventing his family members from leaving.
“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 Tejuoso, 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.”
Obasa expressed his gratitude to members of the Governance Advisory Council and Lagos State Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu. “I appreciate the members of the Governance Advisory Council and Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu of the state. He is my brother, and he always calls me his younger brother,” he said.
