By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Political uncertainty brewing in the home state of President Bola Tinubu has taken a new twist,as the lawmaker representing Agege Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, who was earlier impeached as Speaker over “gross misconduct”, has returned to his seat, presiding over plenary.
“Obasa is the Speaker,” he declared on Thursday afternoon at the premises of the House amidst heavy security presence.
Obasa, who was first elected into the Lagos State House of Assembly in 2007, has been the Speaker since 2015, making him one of the longest-serving Speakers in the state. He was removed last month and replaced by his former deputy, Mojisola Meranda, who represents Apapa Constituency I.
Following his return on Thursday, journalists asked whether he had been reinstated as Speaker. Obasa 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.”
In a show of solidarity, his supporters gathered at the entrance gate of the 40-member Assembly Complex, chanting and cheering him.
Political leaders, including Chief Bisi Akande, the pioneer chairman of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC), and former Governor of Lagos Akinwunmi Ambode, had met earlier. A source familiar with the matter said a resolution favoured Obasa’s return.
He is said to be in a running battle with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu after declaring that he is qualified to run for the office of governor of the state.
Sources said President Tinubu, who was once governor of the South West state, did not support Obasa’s removal.
Thursday’s appearance was Obasa’s first in the Assembly since his removal as Lagos Speaker on Monday, 13 January 2025.
On Saturday, 25 January 2025, Obasa rejected his removal and insisted that he remained the Speaker until the right thing was done. He faulted the militarisation of the Assembly complex during the impeachment process. He also claimed his removal took place in his absence, while he was out of Nigeria.
However, 36 lawmakers loyal to Meranda insisted that Obasa’s removal was final and that Meranda remained the Speaker of the House.
The lawmakers gathered at the Assembly garden on Thursday, standing by their 17 February vote of confidence in Meranda, despite Obasa’s return, which was reportedly aided by armed men and thugs.
“He was not elected as Speaker by his constituency. We endured his master-slave leadership for nearly a decade. Now, we’ve had enough, and we’re not backing down,” a lawmaker said anonymously.
