Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, the disputed Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, on Thursday, insisted that he was not “removed”.
Obasa stated this during an interview on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ anchored by Seun Okinbaloye.
“I have always said this that I have never been removed from office. I am not against any removal,” Obasa said, hours after he returned to the Lagos State Assembly complex in the wake of his disputed position as the speaker.
“If you are going to do that, you must follow the rules of the House. It is constitutional to impeach and remove. You have to follow the dictates of the Constitution.”
The Lagos State Assembly crisis entered a new phase on Thursday when Obasa who represents Agege 1 Constituency showed up at the Assembly Complex weeks after his colleagues elected Meranda Mojisola to replace him.
Obasa was escorted by stern-looking uniformed security operatives as he walked into the hallowed chambers.
His appearance was the first in the Assembly since his removal as Lagos speaker on Monday, January 13, 2025.
But in a show of solidarity on Thursday, his supporters gathered at the entrance gate of the Assembly Complex, chanting and cheering on the lawmaker who represents Agege Constituency I in the 40-member House.
Briefing reporters, the 52-year-old politician told journalists on the premises of the House that “Obasa is the speaker,”
Asked whether he has been reinstated as speaker, Obasa said, “I’ve never been removed. Impeachment or removal is democratic and constitutional but in doing that, you must follow the due process. I am not against that. If I do that, then I am not democratic.”
Meanwhile, a group of lawmakers loyal to the lawmaker, who represents Apapa Constituency I, Mojisola Meranda, rejected Obasa, insisting that Meranda remained the speaker.
