*Tinubu refuses to grant ex-Speaker audience
From Agege, the constituency of impeached Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly,
Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, to Alausa, Ikeja, where the Assembly is located, policemen and other security agents are already on the alert to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
This is because of the plan by Obasa’s loyalists and thugs to return him as Speaker, despite the fact that he was impeached on January 13.
Obasa, while addressing his supporters on Saturday, said he was still the speaker.
But, close to 35 of the 40 lawmakers, on Saturday, pledged their loyalty to the new Speaker, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda.
To them, if Obasa is sure of his claim, he should come to the Assembly to resume as Speaker.
One of them said: “This is somebody who has several cases hanging on his neck with EFCC. By the time he is invited officially, Obasa will know that he is no longer the Speaker. He is just wasting his time. His time is over. In fact, he is a joker”.
To avoid an imminent crisis, policemen have been urged to arrest Obasa to stop him from parading himself as the Speaker.
Obasa, who had been in Abuja since January 18, attempting to meet with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to appeal his impeachment, failed in his bid to reverse the decision.
Despite his attempts to gain the president’s attention, the impeachment process, which had the backing of 32 lawmakers, was finalised on January 13, 2025.
Obasa returned to Lagos on Saturday and mobilised his supporters, especially from his constituency in Agege, to gather at the official Speaker’s residence in Ikeja GRA, despite the fact that it no longer serves as his residence since his removal.
A statement by Segun Balogun, Chairman of Ward F in Agege, instructed party members and stakeholders to meet at the Ikeja GRA residence for a “heroic welcome”.
The statement, which calls for attendees to wear clothing and caps displaying Obasa’s image, along with the names of President Tinubu and the ruling APC, has raised eyebrows among political observers.
What is particularly curious about the meeting is the venue — Obasa’s former residence – which he lost access to after his removal.
His decision to return to the location, despite his ouster, has ignited fears of potential unrest and a challenge to the new leadership in the Assembly, led by Rt. Hon. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda.
Reports suggest that the new leadership of the Assembly and the majority of lawmakers who supported Obasa’s removal are preparing to counter his return.
Also, politicians, who were dissatisfied with his tenure, which was often described as “authoritarian,” are reportedly mobilising to prevent any attempt by Obasa to reclaim power.
Meanwhile, a 46-second video has surfaced showing a group of Obasa’s supporters dancing and singing praises to him at the Ikeja GRA residence.
Some of them were seen wearing shirts and caps emblazoned with his image, while others donned full native attire, also featuring his name and pictures. The video has further fuelled fears of escalating tensions in the state.
Obasa, while addressing them, said due process was not followed in his removal.
A member of the House of Assembly, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed concerns over the “show of shame” that Obasa’s supporters are staging.
The lawmaker stressed that all legal means would be employed to ensure that Obasa does not regain any form of power.
“Is he the first Speaker to be impeached?” the lawmaker remarked, referencing the fact that several other Speakers in the past were removed.
The police have been urged to intervene quickly to avoid any potential chaos, and the new Assembly leadership is expected to take a firm stand against unlawful actions.
