Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly (LSHA) have doubled down on the removal of Mudashiru Obasa as the speaker of the lawmaking body and have described the move as legally binding.
Obasa was removed some weeks back owing to allegations of corruption and other offences.
While the former speaker had claimed he is still in charge -even when another person has been elected into the position – the Lagos State Assembly on Thursday said Obasa’s removal remains binding.
“The Lagos State House of Assembly, as an independent arm of government, has exercised its constitutional duty in the best interest of the people of Lagos,” a statement by Ogundipe Stephen Olukayode on behalf of the Lagos State Assembly read after the lawmakers honoured an invitation by the Lagos Command of the Department of State Services (DSS).
“The decision to remove the former Speaker was made through a democratic process, with the required majority as stipulated by law. Any attempt to challenge this lawful action undermines the authority granted to us by the Nigerian Constitution.”
They said Obasa’s removal was in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Powers and Privileges Act, which empower the State Assembly to regulate its internal proceedings without external interference.
“Sections 92 and 96, outline the process for the election and removal of the Speaker, and due process was followed in our decision. It is also in public knowledge that legislative autonomy was granted to State Assemblies, ensuring that elected representatives can conduct their business freely within the chambers assigned to them,” the lawmakers said.
Some members of the Lagos Assembly had been detained by the DSS and were questioned over affairs related to the lawmaking body. This prompted a visit by more members of the Assembly on Thursday.
But following their visit, the lawmakers said their colleagues invited for questioning have been released.
“All members of the Assembly earlier detained have now regained their freedom,” the lawmaker said, commending the professionalism of the DSS.
“We appreciate the Lagos DSS Command, especially the Director, for ensuring a smooth and respectful engagement,” the statement read.
Following Obasa’s removal, Mojisola Meranda was elected as the new speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Since its inception in 1979, the Lagos State House of Assembly has produced nine different assemblies.
The most recent one was inaugurated in 2019. However, until Meranda’s election, no female has been elected as the speaker.
Mojeed Fatai was also elected as the deputy of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
