NB247
Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly have impeached the Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, over alleged gross misconduct and abuse of office.
The lawmakers subsequently chose the Deputy Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, as the new speaker of the assembly.
Obasa has represented Agege Constituency 1 in the Assembly since 2007 and has been the speaker since 2015.
His removal as the speaker is believed to have the backing of the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who has been having a silent battle with Mr Obasa.
Hon. Meranda, who represents Apapa Constituency 1, is also a former chief whip of the house.
There had been allegations of financial misappropriations under Obasa’s tenure as well as a cold conflict between the is office and that of the state governor.
His removal comes barely a month after he was accused of spending N17 billion to construct a gate that leads to the assembly complex.
A group, Lagos State Anti-Corruption Coalition, accused the Assembly of spending the amount to construct a gate. The group also called for an investigation into the matter. But Obasa had denied the allegation, describing it as spurious.
Hon. Meranda was reported to have presided over Monday’s plenary, where Obasa was removed.
Hon. Femi Saheed, representing Kosofe constituency, moved the motion for the removal of the speaker for alleged misappropriation of funds, poor leadership and abuse of office.
He cited five reasons why Obasa should be removed as the speaker of the assembly.
“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,” he said.
The lawmaker also accused him of “intimidation and suppression of and inciting members against one another…mismanagement of funds and lack of time transparency in his management of the House of Assembly funds.”
He accused Obasa of abusing his position and its privileges.
Hon. Saheed also described Obasa’s leadership style as “authoritarian and undemocratic.”
The motion was unopposed and all the lawmakers present supported it.