The impeached Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has criticised his removal by lawmakers, describing the process as unconstitutional and the allegations against him as baseless.
Speaking publicly for the first time since his impeachment, Obasa insisted that due process was not followed in his removal. Addressing a crowd of supporters at the Speaker’s Lodge in GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, on Saturday, he maintained that he remains the Speaker until the proper constitutional steps are taken.
“My status in the House? I believe strongly I am still the Speaker until the right thing has been done. If you want to remove me, remove me the proper way, and I will not contest it. I’m a Muslim and I believe in fate, but let’s do it the way it should be done,” Obasa said.
When asked about a possible legal challenge, he hinted, “You will know. It’s a matter of time.”
Denial of Corruption Allegations
Obasa refuted allegations of financial impropriety levelled against him by the Assembly, describing them as exaggerated and impossible.
“Is it possible to construct an ordinary gate with N16 billion? It is not the Wall of Jericho or the wall separating the United States and Mexico. How can they claim we bought one Hilux bus for N1 billion each and purchased 40 for N40 billion? These allegations are baseless, and I will debunk every single one of them,” he said.
Obasa also stated that his over two decades of legislative service and his record as the longest-serving member in the House attest to his integrity.
Alleged Police Invasion
The impeached Speaker accused the Lagos State Commissioner of Police of deploying over 200 officers to invade the Assembly and his private residence in Agege on the day of his removal. He alleged that the officers blocked his residence and restricted his family’s movement.
“I am not afraid of being removed; after all, it is not my father’s chieftaincy title. But let it be done properly. My removal happened because I was out of the country. Lagos is a special place; we must not denigrate its image,” he said.
Obasa compared his situation to past impeachments in the Assembly, arguing that his case lacked the decorum observed during similar proceedings involving former Speaker Jokotola Pelumi and former Deputy Speaker Adefunmilayo Tejuosho.
Appreciation to Stakeholders
He expressed gratitude to the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for their support, describing the governor as a brother.
Obasa concluded by urging the Assembly to uphold its reputation, stating, “The Lagos State House of Assembly is an institution above the common standard of excellence. I believe in its image, and I will never partake in its destruction.”
