Formerly impeached Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has declared himself the rightful leader of the House, stating that he holds no grudges against lawmakers who voted for his removal.
Speaking upon his return to the assembly complex on Thursday, Obasa insisted that his impeachment on January 13 did not follow due process and, therefore, could not stand.
He emphasized that he had no intention of victimizing his colleagues, describing them as his “brothers and sisters.”
“All my colleagues have always been my brothers.
They have been loyal, dedicated, and committed to serving the people of Lagos, and we will continue to do that together,” Obasa told reporters.
“I have no reservations, nothing against anybody, and no intention of victimization.”
His impeachment, which saw 32 out of 38 lawmakers vote in favor, led to the appointment of Mojisola Meranda as the first female Speaker of the House. At the time, Obasa was in the United States when news of his removal broke.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had reportedly been preparing to arrest him upon his return to Nigeria, following corruption allegations.
According to Peoples Gazette, Sources suggested that First Lady Remi Tinubu intervened, urging the anti-graft agency to halt its plans due to Obasa’s political influence in Agege and surrounding areas, which could be crucial for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
To mediate the crisis, the president reportedly enlisted former APC National Chairman Bisi Akande and former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Osoba. While no official statements have been issued on the outcome of their intervention, Obasa’s return to the assembly and the restoration of his security detail strongly indicate that he has regained political backing.
Meanwhile, security personnel assigned to Meranda have been withdrawn, further fueling speculation that Obasa is back in control of the House.
