The dismissed Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has declared that he has resumed his role as the leader of the parliament.
Obasa made this statement on Thursday after returning to the assembly complex, accompanied by police and State Security Service personnel, marking his first visit since his removal on January 13.
“I’ve resumed, and I remain the Speaker of the Assembly,” Obasa told reporters on the premises of the House.
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.”
Reports state that Obasa, accompanied by security officials, entered the Speaker’s Office around 12 noon on Thursday.
This came after the withdrawal of security aides assigned to Speaker Mojisola Meranda.
The assembly has been in the midst of a leadership crisis since Obasa’s removal as Speaker and the subsequent election of Meranda.
Obasa faced accusations from over 90% of the lawmakers for poor leadership, chronic lateness to legislative functions and plenaries, high-handedness, disregard for fellow lawmakers and the executive, particularly the governor, abuse of office and privileges, as well as intimidation and oppression of members, among other complaints.
To resolve the crisis, some prominent All Progressives Congress figures, including former governors Bisi Akande of Osun, Segun Osoba of Ogun, and Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos, held a series of meetings last weekend with political stakeholders in the state, including assembly members, under the directive of President Bola Tinubu.
Reports state that as a result of these discussions, both Obasa and Meranda might step aside to allow another lawmaker to take over leadership of the house.
A member of the Governors Advisory Council, Chief Muraina Taiwo, revealed that one of the seven lawmakers from Lagos West is being considered by party leaders as the potential new Speaker.