Politics
SOME members of the Governance Advisory Council, GAC, the apex advisory organ in Lagos State, disagreed yesterday over the process that led to the impeachment of former speaker of the Lagos House of Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa.
The GAC members, including former Minister of Defence (State), Senator Musliu Obanikoro and Senator Anthony Adefuye, expressed divergent views over the embattled former speaker.
While Adefuye said Obasa was illegally removed, Obanikoro countered the latter saying his statement “was careless.”
However, the GAC secretary, Mr Mutiu Are said that the brewing crisis in the Assembly will be resolved in a family way.
This came as the Lovers of Lagos, yesterday, called for the arrest of Obasa for using the official residence of the Speaker.
Obanikoro, Adefuye divided over support for Obasa
Senator Obanikoro, however, faulted a statement made by Senator Adefuye expressing support for Obasa.
Adefuye, a member of GAC, said in a recent interview that he disagreed with Obasa that he was removed.
“What he is saying is that he was illegally removed and the procedure was faulty and I agree with him”, the APC chieftain said.
Reacting to Adefuye’s interview, Obanikoro said the APC chieftain was careless to have made the statement, adding that it was important to respect hierarchy in any organisation.
The former Minister said: “The statement of Senator Adefuye on the removal of the former Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, is very unfortunate, childish and inconsequential.
“Senator Adefuye’s comment shouldn’t have come up, as leaders, if there are serious issues of this magnitude, rushing to make press statement or personal statement on such issues is unbecoming of a statement.
“Since GAC as a unit as not made any prounouncement on the subject matter, it is irresponsible of any member of that privileged body to go public and make comments on an issue that is as sensitive as that.“Moreso our leader, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria waded in on the matter, so I believe nobody should come out individually to express an opinion based on privileged status.”
Matter will be resolved in family way — GAC scribe
Also speaking on the matter, the Secretary of GAC, Mr Mutiu Are, called for calm, saying the matter will be resolved in a family way.
While reacting to the claim by Obasa that his removal was unconstitutional, Are said: “Whatever is currently going on in Lagos politics is a family affair. As an elder, I’m not supposed to take sides.
“We would resolve everything because the GAC, being the apex advisory organ has its mechanism for resolving matters like this.
“By my position as the secretary of the body, I’m not given an express permission to speak to the matter. But I can tell you that we’ll resolve it in a family way.”
Obasa stand impeached — Lagos youths
Meanwhile, the Convener, Assembly of Lagos Youths, Mr Lasisi Robert, while reacting to Obasa’s claim that he was illegally impeached, said the embattled former Speaker stands impeached.
Robert, in a statement, insisted that Obasa never represented the interests of Lagos.
The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to the recent careless statement made by Mr Mudashiru Obasa claiming he remains the speaker of Lagos State when 32 of the 39 members of the Lagos State House of Assembly impeached him.
“Mudashiru Obasa stands impeached and no going back. He is no longer the speaker of Lagos State. He has never represented the interests of Lagos well.
“In a democracy, the statement just made by Obasa is purely an invitation to anarchy. Constitutionally, there is always a speaker in the state and for Obasa to have made such a statement is treasonable felony and an intent to raise arm against the state.
“The process of removing a Speaker of a House of Assembly in Nigeria is outlined in the Constitution.
“We are now using this medium to call on the Governor of Lagos State as the Chief Security Officer of the State to beef up security around the House of Assembly as Anarchy looms in the State.
“We are also calling on the office of the Attorney General of Lagos State to immediately commence prosecution against Mudashiru Obasa for making such reckless statements.”
Group calls for ex-Speaker’s arrest
Meanwhile, a socio-political group, under the aegis of Lovers of Lagos, yesterday, called for the arrest of the former Speaker for using the official residence of the Speaker.
Calling for his arrest, the Lovers of Lagos, in a statement by its Secretary-General, Yinka Olatunji, said the return of Obasa to the official residence of the Speaker where he was welcomed by his supporters has raised eyebrow and concerns.
Olatunji said: “It is expected for him to vacate the official residence”, just as he described Obasa’s return as a show of shame.
He, therefore, urged police to intervene to avoid any possible chaos as new Speaker Mojisola Lasbat Meranda takes the helm of power.
The statement reads: “Lagos State is on edge as the embattled former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has returned to the state today, Saturday, January 25, 2025, after being ousted from office earlier this month. His return has sparked widespread concern, with many calling for immediate police intervention.
“Obasa, who had been in Abuja since January 18, 2025, attempting to meet with President Bola Tinubu to appeal his impeachment, failed in his bid to reverse the decision. Despite his attempts to gain the president’s attention, the impeachment process, which had the backing of 32 lawmakers, was finalized on January 13, 2025.
“Now, Obasa has returned to Lagos and his supporters, especially from his constituency in Agege, have been mobilized to gather at his official residence in Ikeja GRA, even though it no longer serves as his residence since his removal. The Speaker’s Lodge, which was once the home of the third-ranking official in the state, has become the centre of an unfolding political drama.
“The police have been urged to intervene quickly to avoid any potential chaos, and the new Assembly leadership is expected to take a firm stand against any unlawful actions.
“As Lagosians brace for the return of the controversial former Speaker, the political landscape remains uncertain, with both supporters and critics closely monitoring the situation.”
vanguard
A.I
Jan. 27, 2025
Tags: Mr Mudashiru Obasa. Senator Anthony Adefuye Senator Musliu Obanikoro
