Removed Speaker Obasa Presides Over 4-Member Plenary In Show Of Impunity

Former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, who was recently axed by his colleagues, Thursday presided over plenary with only four other members at the chamber after he had earlier stormed the Assembly complex, aided by armed policemen and thugs.

The plenary, which commenced at 3.pm, was conducted after the doors to the chamber were forced open by security personnel.

However, 26 other members of the assembly were around but shunned the illegality, in apparent loyalty and support to the substantive Speaker, Mojisola Meranda.

Obasa had earlier, claimed, without basis, that he had resumed Speaker, saying his removal was unconstitutional and undemocratic, because, according to him, it was not done following laid down procedures.

He said, “I’ve never been removed. Impeachment or removal is democratic and constitutional, but in doing that, you must follow due process. I am not against that. If I do that, then I am not democratic.”

Back in January, while abroad, Obasa was removed as speaker when more than two-thirds of the house voted him out over alleged misconduct, corruption and sundry offences.

His then deputy, Mojisola Meranda, was immediately elected the new Speaker, becoming the first female to take charge of the legislative body in the South-West state.

As at the time, Obasa attempted to reinstate himself as speaker, Meranda had not resigned, neither had she been removed as speaker.

Recall that there had been reports that President Bola Tinubu was said to be working for Obasa’s return as speaker.

It is still not clear if this apparent illegality enjoys presidential support. However, spokespersons of the president have maintained tight lips over this subversion of democracy.

Interestingly, before Obasa’s invasion of the Assembly all the security aides attached to Speaker were withdrawn, which raises suspicion of complicity of the power that be.

The police authorities had yet to give the public an insight into why her security aides were withdrawn as at the time of filing this report.