- Safiu Kehinde
Trouble seems to be looming in the Lagos House of Assembly as the impeached Speaker, Mudasiru Obasa has said an impeachment carried out with a “fake” mace cannot stand.
Obasa, who returned to his official lodge in Ikeja, Lagos on Saturday after his return from a foreign trip, said his impeachment did not follow the procedure adding that he remains the Speaker of the House of Assembly.
The former Speaker said that the allegations made against him by the lawmakers could not be proved. He said he is the most experienced lawmaker in the House of Assembly, having been elected six times since 2003.
“I believe I am still the speaker until they follow the right process,” he said.
“I thank you for your support and dedication. I will take this opportunity to debunk the allegations that were circulated and raised about me.
“Is it possible to construct an ordinary gate with N16 billion? It is not the wall of Jericho or the wall that demarcated the United States of America and Mexico.
“How can they say we bought one Hilux bus for N1 billion each and that we bought 40 pieces for N40 billion? Talking about Thanksgiving, they should compare the one they said we spent N200 million on and the one organised by the state government.
“I am not disturbed or perturbed, and I am not afraid. I will debunk all the allegations levelled against me by the House.
“I have not done anything wrong. I have been a lawmaker for over two decades, and I am the longest-serving lawmaker in the House,” he said.
Obasa was believed to have been having a running battle with the State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu especially after the election of 2023.
The House under Obasa had rejected a list of cabinet members sent to the House for approval endorsing the appointment of some.
It was said that it took the intervention of the President, Bola Tinubu to have the list of commissioners approved by the House.
Speaking further with his supporters, Obasa said “I have not done anything wrong. I have been a lawmaker for over two decades, and I am the longest-serving lawmaker in the House,” he said.
The former Speaker added that it was important that due process ought to have been followed before his removal.
According to him, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police led police officers to invade the state assembly on the day of the removal, adding that over 200 policemen also invaded his private residence in Agege, blocked the gate, and prevented members of his family from leaving the house.
“I am not afraid of being removed. After all, it is not my father’s chieftaincy title. I am representing my people, and they have returned me six times. If you want to do anything, do it well.
“They did the removal all because I was out of the country. Lagos is a special place; we cannot denigrate the state.
“When former Speaker Rt. Hon. Jokotola Pelumi was removed, he was in the assembly, and we did not invite policemen. When my sister, former Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Adefunmilayo Tejuosho, was removed, we did not invite the police.
“They should not discredit an innocent person; they should prove their allegations against me. The Lagos State House of Assembly is above the common standard of excellence.
“I believe in the image of our institution. We must not destroy it, and I will never partake in its destruction.
“I appreciate the members of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) and Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu of the state. He is my brother, and he always calls me his younger brother,” he stated.