Claims that President Bola Tinubu was involved in the impeachment of Mudashiru Obasa, the immediate former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, have been addressed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) Lagos State branch.
The Lagos State House of Assembly members impeached Obasa on Monday and replaced him with Mojisola Meranda.
The members claimed that their conduct was intended to protect the integrity of Lagos State and the legislature shortly after Obasa was removed from office as Speaker.
The lawmaker emphasised that they had had enough of Obasa and clarified that his impeachment was a “baton change.”
According to the lawmakers: “It’s just a change of baton, only death that is constant, so change is inevitable.
“The members of parliament today decided to change the leadership of the House and you know that the constitution made it clear that the house has the power to regulate its proceedings.
“So the members of the House felt that they have had enough of Obasa and today we have unanimously agreed that Miranda should become the new Speaker of the House.
“The House as you have seen, have resolved to work together and ensure we move the parliament to the next level.
“We hold our constituents and Lagos State a duty of ensuring that the sanctity and integrity of the house is restored and that is why we all unanimously agreed to carry out this action to save our image and this state.”
Members of the Lagos State Governor’s Advisory Council, GAC, met with Meranda and her supporters after she was elected Speaker.
The new Speaker said she met with GAC members to ask for their blessings following the meeting at Lagos House in Marina.
She said: “We are here to brief them about what happened at the House of Assembly yesterday and to seek their blessing which we have gotten.”
Although Obasa recently refuted rumours that he was considering running for governor, the former Speaker faced several issues during his tenure.
For allegedly spending N17 billion to build a dedicated entrance for Speakers in the Lagos Assembly compound, Obasa came under heavy criticism. Even though he refuted the charges, he never revealed the project’s true cost.
Since the Assembly already had three gates, it was questioned if the gate was really necessary.
His reputation was further damaged by allegations that N200 million was spent on an unfulfilled Thanksgiving celebration.
Obasa tried to use a draft bill to turn the 37 Local Council Development Areas in Lagos into Administrative Areas. Tinubu was reportedly upset by the action and advised Obasa to drop the bill.
Under Obasa’s leadership, the Assembly passed the law in spite of the warning; it is now pending the governor’s approval.
Obasa’s impeachment is alleged to have been expedited by the bill.
Obasa’s impeachment demonstrated that the parliament and other branches of government in Lagos State enjoy independence, according to Seye Oladejo, the publicity secretary for the state chapter of the APC.
In an interview with ZINGTIE, Oladejo stated: “His impeachment is not a party affair, it’s the entire business of the House of Assembly, it has nothing to do with the party.
“They enjoy their independence as a major tier in this democracy, so whatsoever, the House has made available through the news maker and their information machinery would just suffice for now.
“The fact is since 1999 when they have been electing their leadership, it has always been the affairs of the members of the House.
“What if the House was made up of members from different parties? So which party would be able to intervene in their affair?
“So if you look at it from that angle you will see that our position is correct, we should let them enjoy their independence and it also shows the growth of democracy in Lagos State.
“There is a mutual respect between the various organs of the party, government, judiciary, executive, and legislature.”
When asked about Tinubu’s alleged involvement, he said: “I wouldn’t know who was involved and not involved, we only have to accept what the members of the House have put in public domain.
“The members said they decided to have a change of guard and that was it.”
“Politics is about intrigues and interests and the only thing that is permanent is your interest.
“The only thing that is permanent and constant is your interest at a particular time as a politician and that is universal, it’s not peculiar to Nigeria,” he added.
However, Oladejo denied knowing that the former Speaker was considering running for governor.
“I’m not aware there is any ongoing governorship race right now and we won’t be having another governorship election until 2027.
“The priority of the party is to deliver on good governance and ensure that we fulfill the social contract between us and the people who voted us into power and we do not disappoint.
“And of course, If there is anything that has resemblance to an election before us, it is the party’s congress and local government election towards the middle of this year.
“So that’s my thought, and you want to show me any politician that is not ambitious? You won’t find one,” he told ZINGTIE.
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