The Lagos State House of Assembly has explained that the impeachment of Speaker Mudashiru Obasa was because of the need to uphold ethical governance and restore accountability within the legislative body. The lawmakers cited gross misconduct, abuse of office, and financial improprieties as the primary reasons behind their unanimous decision to remove him from office. The assembly stated it had endured Obasa’s leadership shortcomings for too long and was compelled to act in the interest of integrity and proper legislative management.
The impeachment session, held on Monday, was presided over by Deputy Speaker Mojisola Meranda, who has since been appointed as the new speaker. During the session, Femi Saheed, representing Kosofe Constituency, moved the motion for Obasa’s removal, accusing him of multiple violations, including highhandedness, poor leadership, and disregard for fellow lawmakers. He emphasized that Obasa’s authoritarian style and lack of transparency in managing the assembly’s funds had eroded trust and functionality within the legislative house. The motion also detailed accusations of intimidation, suppression of members, and inciting conflicts among legislators. Saheed concluded that the speaker’s continued stay in office was untenable due to his consistent misuse of privileges and mismanagement of resources.
The impeachment process was swift and met no opposition from members present, reflecting a unanimous consensus. Although the exact number of lawmakers present could not be verified, the total lack of dissent underscored the depth of dissatisfaction with Obasa’s leadership. According to Abiodun Tobun, representing Epe Constituency 1, the impeachment was a collective resolution made in line with constitutional provisions to ensure effective leadership and ethical conduct in the assembly. Tobun confirmed that all principal offices and standing committees had been dissolved as part of a broader reorganization effort.
Obasa’s tenure has been marred by various corruption allegations. One of the most prominent claims involved an alleged expenditure of N17 billion for constructing a gate leading to the assembly complex, a figure dismissed by the former speaker as laughably exaggerated. He also faced accusations of spending N200 million on a thanksgiving event that reportedly never took place. Responding to these allegations in December, Obasa attributed the claims to political maneuvering ahead of the 2027 elections, suggesting that some individuals were attempting to tarnish his reputation out of fear. However, these explanations failed to pacify critics or diminish scrutiny from both lawmakers and anti-corruption groups.
The Lagos State Anti-Corruption Coalition has called for a thorough investigation into the financial dealings under Obasa’s leadership. Despite his denials, transparency advocates argue that the assembly’s refusal to comply with the Freedom of Information Act has hindered public accountability. Lagos State remains one of several states contesting the applicability of the FOI Act at the Supreme Court, further fueling criticisms of opaque governance practices.
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