Former Speaker of the Lagos House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has responded to his removal by the representatives of the house.
Obasa, the longest-serving speaker of the assembly, was removed in absentia on Monday, January 13 over alleged gross misconduct. While in the United States (US), he was accused of high-handedness, misappropriation of funds, and lack of transparency in the management of the assembly’s affairs.
Speaking to his supporters from Agege, Kosofe, and Alimosho local government areas (LGAs) at Ikeja GRA, Obasa refuted allegations of financial mismanagement, including claims that he spent N16 billion to construct a gate for the assembly.
The 52-year-old All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain faulted reports of 'impeachment' in some quarters. He said, “I believe in removal. There is no impeachment in the assembly. Probably, there is a mistake from them; you can only remove the speaker. And before you remove, you must ensure you follow the rules of the constitution. I’m not afraid to be removed, what else am I looking for?”
Obasa, in his third term as speaker since 2015, representing Agege Constituency I, denied the accusations of corruption leveled against him, describing them as baseless and politically motivated.
The motion for the removal of former Speaker Obasa was in line with the constitution. According to Femi Saheed, who represents Kosofe Constituency II, Obasa was removed—not impeached. Section 92 (2) (c) states that not less than two-thirds majority of members can remove the presiding officer.
The former speaker was removed as stated in the motion for his removal. Fact-finding showed that there is nothing like impeachment of a speaker. The 1999 constitution as amended only makes provision for the removal of the head of the legislative house.
A speaker can be removed, he cannot be impeached. State actors can only impeach a president, vice-president, governor, and deputy-governor.
The difference between removal and impeachment is that in the case of removal, it is done by the lawmakers' colleagues. However, impeachment is a more serious process that involves external people outside the house. It involves the chief judge or chief justice, as the case may be, and the setting up of a panel.
In the context of discussing the change of guards in the leadership of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Obasa remains removed as it was done by a majority of his colleagues.
Obasa is back to Lagos. He was impeached while he was away for vacation.
— FS Yusuf (@FS_Yusuf_) January 25, 2025
Lagos 2027 go tough!
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