Lagos lawmakers have listed perpetual lateness to legislative sections and meetings, highhandedness and inciting members against each other as some of the ‘sins’ over which Mudashiru Obasa was impeached as Speaker of the state assembly
Recall that members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, on Monday, impeached the embattled Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, representing Agege, over alleged financial misappropriation.
The lawmakers replaced Obasa with his erstwhile deputy, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, representing Apapa I. This makes her the first substantive female Speaker in the history of the state assembly.
The Assembly also removed the Clerk, Olalekan Onafeko, following the impeachment of Obasa.
Obasa, was in a gestapo manner, impeached by members, ending his 10-year reign as speaker, and Onafeko, who was said to have been brought to the assembly by Obasa singlehandedly.
The impeached speaker and Onafeko were also behind the ban on journalists covering the activities of the assembly for over two years ago.
– Security Stops Thugs’ Invasion
Consequently, armed security personnel of the Rapid Response Squad, RRS; Lagos Task Force, and state police command have taken over the premises and environs turning back every motorist and person.
Meanwhile, some miscreants who were trying to invade the complex were intercepted, arrested and clamped into a waiting Black Maria.
Some charms and amulets were also recovered from the miscreants believed to be supporters of Obasa from Agege Constituency.
Obasa was impeached following a motion moved under the Matter of Urgent Public Importance by Femi Saheed.
Saheed, in line with provision of section 92(2) (C) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, accused Obasa of gross misconduct and poor leadership, which included perpetual lateness to legislative sections and meetings; High-handedness and lack of regard of members; gross abuse of office and privileges; intimidation and oppression of members by inciting them against one another amongst others.
He mentioned that Obasa also practices an authoritarian and undemocratic leadership style in discharging his duties.
He, therefore, moved the motion for impeachment.
Following the adoption of the motion, the impeachment was made by the 32 members through a voice vote.
Subsequently, Meranda emerged as the new speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, while Fatai Mojeed emerged as the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly.
In a related development, the House also suspended the Clerk of the Assembly, Olalekan Onafeko. He has been replaced with Mr. Abubakar Ottun as the Acting Clerk of the House.
– Lawmakers Address Newsmen
Later, Abiodun Tobun, representing Epe Constituency 1, while speaking with newsmen on behalf of the lawmakers, explained why the members changed the leadership of the house.
According to him, “The Lagos State House of Assembly has declared its decision to impeach Speaker Mudashiru Obasa. The impeachment was a unanimous decision by the lawmakers.
“The lawmakers agreed to take this step to safeguard our image and Lagos State. Change is inevitable, and we felt it was time for a new direction.
“All standing committees and principal officer positions have been dissolved. We are determined to work together to elevate the Assembly and deliver on our responsibilities to Lagosians.”
He explained that the Constitution empowers the Assembly to regulate its proceedings, and members reached a consensus to end Obasa’s tenure.
The lawmakers assured the public of their commitment to the progress and stability of Lagos State under the new leadership.
Biography: Meet Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, new speaker
Mojisola Lasbat Meranda was born to the family of late Chief T. A. Lawal Akapo (Ojora of Lagos) and Princess M. A. Lawal-Akapo of the royal families of Ojora, Aromire, Onitana, Oloto, and Oniru royal families; sibling to the Oniru of Irulaland, Oba Gbolhan Lawal.
She had her primary education at St. Charles Nursery and Primary school and later on Randle Primary School. She attended Anglican Girls Grammar School and Ansar-Ud-Deen Secondary School, both in Surulere where she held the posts of the library prefect and secretary press club, and obtained the West African Senior School Certificate (WASSCE).
A highly adventurous scholar, young Mojisola Lasbat Meranda attended NIIT where she obtained a certificate in Software Development (Network Engineering). She also obtained a BSc in Public Administration from the Lagos State University (LASU), Masters of Public and International Affairs (MPIA) from University of Lagos, and Master in Business Administration MBA, Public Sector Management from University of York, UK, and Master of Criminology, University of Lagos (ongoing).
A woman of impeccable character and sterling track record, young Mojisola Lasbat Meranda later joined the service of the Lagos State Ministry of Science and Technology in Ashiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration as the Personal Assistant to the SSA on Information Technology. Then went on to serve as the Personal Assistant to the director of Land Information System Support Unit (LISSU) of the surveyor general and one time the office manager of Cirrus Nigeria Limited in Lekki, Lagos.
She later formed her own company called Worthline International Services Limited.
Her Political Journey
A progressive to the core, Mojisola Meranda was a member of the defunct Alliance for Democracy (AD), which transformed to the Action Congress (AC) and also became Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), then now All Progressives Congress (APC) party.
A dynamic political team player, Mojisola Meranda served as a Senior Special Assistant on Intervention and Inter-Governmental Relations in Apapa Local Government. She got elevated to serve as the Supervisor for Health in the same Local Government and was a frontal/team player in the day-to-day health care delivery programmes in the local government after which she ‘took the bull by the horn’ by contesting in the primary election to represent her constituency which she won by a landslide.
She then proceeded to contest the elective post into the Lagos State House of Assembly with
other political parties and she came out victorious. She was the Chairman, House
Committee on Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) in the 8th Assembly.
She was also the Chairman, House Committee on Establishment and later the Chief Whip in
the 9th Assembly. She was the immediate Deputy Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Mojisola Lasbat Meranda greatest virtues are; Honesty, Hardwork, Transparency and
Integrity without which she says, a woman’s rating becomes hallow. A woman of
substance with a great sense of Responsibility and Reliability.
She’s happily married to Engineer Johnpaul Meranda and blessed with children.
– Obasa Many Sins
Obasa had been accused of financial mismanagement involving ₦44 billion allocated for vehicles and capital projects over two years.
This development has generated concerns and raised questions about transparency and accountability in the Assembly’s financial operations from critics, including lawmakers and residents.
– Alleged Vehicle Allocations
A significant portion of the controversy had stemmed from the Assembly’s vehicle budget.
According to available official records on the Lagos House of Assembly Budget Performance, in 2023, ₦30.19 billion was allocated for vehicles, including official cars, utility buses, and backup vehicles. Another ₦13.33 billion was earmarked for vehicles in 2024.
However, investigations revealed that no vehicles were purchased in 2023, and only a small fraction of the 2024 allocation has been accounted for.
This lack of tangible outcomes has sparked public outrage. Residents are asking why such a massive budget for vehicles has yielded no visible results. Many are now questioning if the funds were diverted for other purposes under Speaker Obasa’s administration.
Questionable Capital Projects
Also, critics have raised questions over the financial irregularities by Obasa’s administration of allocating funds for dubious projects.
₦1.1 billion for properties in 2023: Critics argued this expenditure was excessive, particularly when essential sectors like education, healthcare, and infrastructure are underfunded.
₦126 million in 2024 for properties in Abuja: This allocation has raised eyebrows, with residents questioning why the state’s funds are being spent outside its jurisdiction.
₦15.65 billion for office construction in 2023 and 2024: The necessity of this project is unclear, as many Assembly offices were reportedly functional before the upgrade.
According to critics, these expenditures suggest a troubling pattern of fiscal mismanagement and misplaced priorities, fueling public anger.
– Increasing Frosty Relationship Within The Assembly
Obasa’s leadership is reportedly facing growing resistance from within the Assembly. New lawmakers who joined in 2023, along with some older members, are now challenging his financial decisions and demanding greater transparency, accountability.
Sources revealed that Obasa’s alleged divide-and-rule tactics are beginning to backfire, as his critics gain momentum.
– Public Outcry Over Misplaced Priorities
The allegations against Speaker Obasa have also increased public frustration, distrust over the state’s governance. “Lagosians are demanding answers to critical questions: Why was ₦30.19 billion allocated for vehicles in 2023 when no cars were purchased?
“Why is ₦126 million being spent on properties in Abuja while Lagos faces pressing infrastructural needs? What is the justification for spending billions on office construction when existing facilities are reportedly functional?,” the civil society groups queried.
The groups and concerned citizens argued that the misuse of public funds under Obasa’s watch represents a betrayal of trust, particularly as residents grapple with economic hardships.
– Assembly Budget Performance, Calls For Accountability
Amid the mounting allegations, concerned residents and advocacy groups have been calling on Obasa to provide a detailed breakdown of the Assembly’s expenditures over the past two years.
They maintained that without accountability, governance in Lagos risks becoming a tool for personal enrichment rather than public service.
Some critics had urged the Assembly to reconsider Obasa’s leadership, warning that his continued tenure could undermine Lagos’ development and erode public confidence in the legislative process.
– Alleged N17bn Spent On Assembly Gate
Meanwhile, Obasa, had recently been accused of spending N17 billion on the fixing of complex gate.
In his reaction, he described the allegation as “fake news, spurious and funny.”
This was in apparent reaction to claims by a group, under the umbrella, Lagos State Anti-Corruption Coalition, accusing the Assembly of spending the alleged amount to construct a gate. The group also sought investigation into the claim.
Speaking on the development at the plenary, Obasa said the allegation stemmed from the fear of some people over 2027 polls which is still more than two years away.
The speaker further debunked the claim that the Assembly spent N200 million on its recently organised 22 Thanksgiving Service for staff.
According to Obasa: “It is so funny. How much is the allocation of the Assembly in the whole year that we will decide to spend N17 billion on a gate.? They even claimed that we expended 200 million on thanksgiving that did not hold.
“We are aware that at a period like this when we are approaching elections in 2027, we should expect such things. I think some people are scared and I don’t know why.
“This House did not and has not embarked on any such project. We are not that reckless.
“We had our thanksgiving last Friday and dignitaries from various parts of the State attended it.”
Addressing further claims by the group about the alleged relationship between him and the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, the Speaker denied attending the latter’s screening and confirmation by the National Assembly.
“They said that I was at the National Assembly when they were confirming the EFCC chairman. I want to believe that there are CCTV cameras at the National Assembly to identify those who attended the event.
“The press must have written about it too. So the group should do more to confirm if I was there.
“This is just to deny the allegations in the interest of the public and not the writers because the writers are not those we should be joining words with,” Obasa said.
Obasa, through spokesperson, Stephen Ogundipe, had addressed the allegations noting that the Assembly bases its activities on integrity, transparency and accountability.
A statement earlier released by Ogundipe, read in part: “It is ludicrous the claim about constituency intervention funds and constituency project funds and their handling by Speaker Obasa and Clerk of the House, Barr. Olalekan Onafeko as claimed by the group.
“One would have expected a self-acclaimed anti-corruption crusading group to do its groundwork before jumping across the fence with conviction that it hit a jackpot to malign an institution of repute in the name of politics.
“Simply put, the Lagos State House of Assembly does not have any such funds. The Assembly does not embark on constituency projects.
“Instead, once every year, the House holds stakeholders’ meetings simultaneously across the state where constituents have the opportunity to tell the lawmakers their expectations and make requests for the betterment of the state.
“These requests and expectations are compiled and sent to the executive arm of government for consideration as inputs in subsequent budgets.
“If this is what the group takes as constituency intervention or project funds, we are sure this explanation has given the required education, moreover, it is common knowledge that it is the responsibility of the Executive arm to execute such projects.”
– Way Forward
Tensions mounted during the recent 2025 budget presentation, where Obasa, in apparent show of power, left party leaders and the state Governor, Bababjide Sanwo-Olu, his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, in rude shock after been subjected to long wait of shame.
Obasa has always been unapologetic about his obvious disrespectful attitude and actions to the executive arm, particularly the office of the state governor.
During the screening of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s nomination of commissioners, Obasa spearheaded opposition to names of nominees which eventually led to rejection, subjecting the governor to ridicule.
It took the intervention of the President Bola Tinubu, Governance Advisory Council, GAC, of All Progressive Congress, APC, and party leaders, to save the situation from snowballing into heated Executive, Legislative face-off.
The dust was however was laid to rest recently during the Yuletide vacation of Mr. President in Lagos where crucial and peace meetings were held between the Executive and Legislative arms, led by Sanwo-Olu and Obasa, to save the party from sliding into disintegration over issues bordering on governorship ambition among other interests.
Source: Vanguard News
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