By Olaitan Ibrahim
Previously-“impeached” Mudashiru Obasa has been returned as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Obasa was reinstated following the resignation of Mojisola Meranda, who stepped down, reportedly in tears, from the role with immediate effect. She subsequently re-assumed her former role as Deputy Speaker of the House, from which she was elected to a short-lived term as Speaker, which ended yesterday.
Obasa was returned as the Speaker during Monday’s plenary session.
In January, the lawmakers impeached Obasa over multiple allegations, including poor leadership style, high-handedness, frequent lateness to plenary sessions, abuse of office, and intimidation of colleagues.
The impeachment was supported by over 90 per cent of the lawmakers but that significant fact could not prevent Obasa’s return as Speaker, thus highlighting his towering political stature within the levers of power in Lagos State.
Earlier, in reacting to his impeachment, Obasa rejected the process, insisting that the lawmakers did not follow the constitutional procedure to remove him as Speaker.
He also denied the allegations of corruption brought against him by the lawmakers during his removal, describing the alleged financial misappropriations as “impossible.”
“My status in the House? I believe strongly I am still the speaker until the right thing has been done. If you want to remove me, remove me the proper way and I will not contest it,” Obasa had said while denying the corruption allegations against him.
In a bid to resolve the leadership crisis, notable All Progressives Congress leaders, including former governors of Osun, Ogun, and Lagos states, Bisi Akande, Segun Osoba, and Akinwunmi Ambode, respectively, intervened on the directive of President Bola Tinubu.
After a reconciliation meeting with all lawmakers on Monday, Meranda tendered her resignation alongside other top principal executives.
“This is a notice of resignation as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly,” Meranda announced during the plenary.
Subsequently, Obasa was returned as the Speaker of the House.
Speaking during the plenary session, he thanked the lawmakers while calling for unity and love.
He said, “We want to assure Lagosians that we have resolved and determined to serve their interest and protect their interest always.
“Our major responsibility is to represent them and that’s what we have been doing.
“What is happening here today shows that the Lagos State House of Assembly is capable and is a House of integrity. It is a house that has an internal mechanism to resolve issues in the interest of the institution and our party.
“Today is not the day for speech making but to celebrate my colleagues and thank them for all they have been doing. I am sure we will continue to work together in peace, love and harmony”, the reinstalled Speaker declared.