Mudashiru Obasa, the impeached Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, has refuted his removal, insisting he remains the Speaker until due process is followed.
Speaking on Saturday, Obasa described the impeachment, allegedly carried out by lawmakers two weeks ago, as illegitimate.
His impeachment came after accusations from the Lagos State Anti-Corruption Coalition, claiming financial mismanagement under his leadership. The group alleged the Assembly spent N17 billion on constructing its building gate and N200 million on a staff Thanksgiving service.
On Monday, lawmakers reportedly reconvened and impeached Obasa, citing gross misconduct and abuse of office. Mojisola Miranda, representing the Apapa I State Constituency, was immediately elected as the new Speaker.
He dismissed the claims as baseless, calling the alleged N17 billion gate construction “ridiculous.” He argued that any attempt to remove him must adhere to proper procedures, emphasising his two-decade-long career in the Assembly, including nearly a decade as Speaker.
“If they say they don’t want me anymore, it is fine, but let them follow due procedure. My status in the House is that I strongly believe I remain the Speaker of the Assembly until the right procedure for my removal is followed,” Obasa stated.
He further accused the Lagos State Commissioner of Police of orchestrating a raid on the Assembly and deploying over 200 officers to his Agege residence on the day of his impeachment.
Eromosele Ebhomele, Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, dismissed the corruption allegations as unfounded.
Similarly, the Assembly’s spokesperson, Hon. Stephen Ogundipe, refuted the claims, stressing the legislature’s commitment to transparency and integrity.
Ogundipe clarified that the Assembly neither controls large funds nor undertakes constituency projects. Instead, annual stakeholder meetings are held to address community concerns and expectations.
He urged accusers to conduct proper investigations before tarnishing the Assembly’s reputation.
Following Obasa’s impeachment, the newly elected Speaker, Mojisola Miranda, visited Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
During the courtesy call, she outlined her vision for fostering a “Greater Lagos” through inclusive and collaborative legislation.
The leadership tussle underscores growing tensions within the Lagos Assembly, with both Obasa and his supporters challenging the legitimacy of his removal.
