The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has addressed claims of President Bola Tinubu’s involvement in the impeachment of the immediate past Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa.
On Monday, the members of the Lagos State House of Assembly
impeached Obasa and named Mojisola Meranda as his replacement.
Reason for
impeachment
Shortly after Obasa was impeached as Speaker, the lawmakers
said their action was aimed at safeguarding the integrity of the legislature
and Lagos State.
Stressing that they’ve had enough of Obasa, the lawmakers
explained that his impeachment was a change of “baton.”
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.”
Meranda meets GAC,
gets their blessings
Following her emergence as Speaker, Meranda and lawmakers
loyal to her met with members of the Lagos State Governor’s Advisory Council,
GAC.
Speaking after the meeting at the Lagos House in Marina, the
new Speaker said she met with GAC members to seek their blessings.
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.”
Obasa’s many troubles
While Obasa recently denied claims of nursing a governorship
ambition, the erstwhile Speaker battled with some scandals while occupying the
position.
N17 Billion Scandal
Obasa faced widespread criticism for allegedly allocating
N17 billion to construct a special gate for Speakers at the Lagos Assembly
complex. While he denied the accusations, he never disclosed the actual cost of
the controversial project.
The necessity of the gate was questioned since the Assembly
already had three gates.
Allegations also surfaced about N200 million being spent on
a thanksgiving event that never took place, further tarnishing his reputation.
Attempt to Abrogate
37 LCDAs
Obasa attempted to convert Lagos’ 37 Local Council
Development Areas into Administrative Areas under a proposed law. The move was
said to have displeased Tinubu who reportedly cautioned Obasa to abandon the
bill.
Despite the warning, the Assembly, under Obasa’s leadership,
passed the bill, which is awaiting the governor’s assent.
The bill is said to have accelerated Obasa’s impeachment.
APC speaks on
impeachment
The Publicity Secretary of the state chapter of APC, Seye
Oladejo said Obasa’s impeachment showed that the parliament and all arms of
government enjoys independence in Lagos State.
Speaking with Dailypost, Oladejo said: “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.”
Tinubu’s alleged
involvement
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.
Obasa’s impeachment allegedly linked to governorship
ambition
Oladejo, however, denied knowledge of the former Speaker
nursing a governorship ambition.
“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 said.
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