Osamagbe Imadiyi
As lawmakers convene in plenary today, 27th January, 2025, the Lagos State House of Assembly has increased security at the Assembly Complex. The former Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, asserted on Saturday that he was still the Speaker of the House, sparking rumors that there may be a confrontation at the House.
On January 13, 2025, Obasa was ousted by the majority of House members in response to accusations of financial misappropriation and misconduct. Later on, Mojisola Meranda, the Deputy Speaker, took his place. Since Obasa was removed, Meranda has presided over three plenary sessions; the former speaker was not present at the previous two. Today’s session will be the third.
Speaking on Saturday, Obasa, who had not been in Lagos since the House scandal, insisted that he was still the speaker and urged the lawmakers to remove him from office in the “proper way.” The former speaker also dismissed the lawmakers’ accusations of corruption against him during his dismissal, calling the purported financial embezzlements “impossible.”
Shortly after addressing his supporters, Obasa reiterated his position as Speaker in response to questions from reporters.
“My status in the house? I firmly believe that I will continue to speak until the proper action has been taken. I will not argue if you decide to remove me, but do it the right way. As a Muslim, I consider fate to be real. Let us do it the proper way, though”.
Regardless of the outcome of Monday’s assembly, the Lagos State Police Command has also stated that it will maintain law and order in the state. Ishola Olawale, the state commissioner of police, told our correspondent on Sunday that while the police had no business inside the assembly, it was his responsibility to keep the peace outside and throughout the state.
No breakdown of law and order will occur in the state, he said. “That will not take place. If there is a legal breakdown in the state, it is inside the assembly, and I am not permitted to enter. If there is, I do not see it. However, since that is my responsibility as a police officer, there will not be any breakdown of law and order outside the assembly in Lagos State, wherever it may be”.
