Embattled former Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa has alleged that Mojisola Meranda consented to resign as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly during a peace meeting.
Meranda assumed the role of Speaker in January, succeeding Obasa.
Despite initially opposing his removal, Obasa stated that during a reconciliation meeting led by Lagos State leaders, Meranda agreed to relinquish her position as Speaker.
“There was a meeting that took place in Marina where we had in attendance all the party leaders and all the members [of Lagos Assembly] and openly Meranda herself made a statement that she has stepped down and she has resigned,” Obasa said on Thursday’s edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today.
He was responding to the withdrawal of Meranda’s security aides by police authorities in Lagos. Obasa said since she had agreed to resign, it was right for her security details to be withdrawn.
“So, when you resign from an office, you know, the paraphernalia of office will be taken away now,” Obasa who represents Agege 1 Constituency said.
But on Thursday evening, the police said Meranda’s security aides have been restored and cited a personnel audit as a reason for the withdrawal.
Obasa was impeached in January following allegations of financial fraud and other charges, which he has consistently denied.
On Thursday, he returned to the Lagos State House of Assembly complex for the first time since his removal. Accompanied by security personnel and supporters, Obasa stated that he was at the complex to resume his duties as Speaker.
“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,” he said while briefing the press.
“Obasa is speaker,” he insisted.
But some thirty-six lawmakers of the Lagos State Assembly passed a vote of confidence on Meranda thereafter.