In a dramatic turn of events, the Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, has been ousted from his position following allegations of gross misconduct, financial impropriety, and abuse of office.
Obasa, who has represented Agege Constituency 1 since 2007 and served as Speaker since 2015, was impeached during a plenary session on Monday, marking a significant political shake-up in Lagos politics.
The embattled former Speaker has faced mounting accusations of misappropriation of funds, highhandedness, and authoritarian leadership.
Prominent among these allegations is the purported expenditure of N17 billion on a gate leading to the Assembly premises, a claim dismissed by Obasa as baseless and absurd.
“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,” Obasa had said in his defense in December.
Despite his dismissal of the allegations, calls for an investigation have grown louder, with the Lagos State Anti-Corruption Coalition demanding accountability.
Obasa’s removal comes amid speculations of a power tussle with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, with some lawmakers alleging that the former Speaker’s 2027 political ambitions may have fueled his ouster.
At the plenary session presided over by Deputy Speaker Mojisola Meranda, a motion for Obasa’s impeachment was moved by Femi Saheed, representing Kosofe Constituency.
Saheed accused Obasa of mismanagement of Assembly funds, intimidation of members, and fostering division within the legislature.
“…I hereby move that the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Right Honourable Mudashiru Obasa, be removed as speaker of this House for gross misconduct and poor leadership, including highhandedness and disregard for honourable members of the House of Assembly,” Saheed said.
The motion was unanimously supported by all lawmakers present, with no opposition raised during the session.
Addressing journalists after the impeachment, Abiodun Tobun, representing Epe Constituency 1, said the decision was a collective resolution to restore ethical governance in the House.
“We felt we have had enough of Obasa as Speaker,” Tobun stated, adding that all principal positions and standing committees in the Assembly had been dissolved.
Tobun emphasized that the decision was in line with constitutional provisions and was necessary to uphold the integrity of the legislative arm.
Obasa was notably absent during the plenary session, reportedly being out of the country at the time of his impeachment.
His deputy, Mojisola Meranda, has since assumed the role of Speaker, signaling a new leadership era in the Lagos Assembly.
The Assembly’s opaque financial practices have drawn criticism over the years, with Lagos State resisting the application of the Freedom of Information Act.
This latest development has reignited debates about transparency and accountability in the state’s governance.
Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
