GAC Member Condemns Obasa’s Removal, Seeks Tinubu Mediation

Kehinde Fajobi

Chief Muraina Taiwo, a member of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos, has criticised the impeachment of Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, arguing that due process was not followed.

On January 13, lawmakers ousted Obasa, citing allegations of misconduct, abuse of power, and financial impropriety. Mojisola Meranda, the former deputy speaker, was named as his replacement.

Obasa, representing Agege Constituency 1, was abroad when he was removed. Upon his return to Lagos on Saturday, he rejected the corruption allegations and insisted that his impeachment was flawed.

“I strongly believe I remain the Speaker until proper procedures are followed. If you want to remove me, do it the right way, and I will not challenge it,” he told his supporters at the Speaker’s Lodge, GRA Ikeja.

Taiwo, in a statement titled My Take on the Ongoing Imbroglio at the Lagos State House of Assembly, argued that the impeachment was unlawful and disregarded party hierarchy.

“What the lawmakers did was illegal. It is a clear act of insubordination and disrespect for leadership.

“The GAC is divided over this issue, but ultimately, we will defer to our leader, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to settle the matter,” the statement read.

Taiwo’s remarks align with those of GAC member Senator Anthony Adefuye, who told The PUNCH last week that Obasa’s removal did not adhere to legal procedures.

“The former speaker is contesting his removal on the grounds that it was unconstitutional, and I agree with him,” Adefuye said.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State House of Assembly has stated that it awaits Obasa’s return before determining its next course of action, which may include an official investigation.

House spokesperson Olukayode Ogundipe dismissed speculation that an unauthorised mace was used during the impeachment.

“The former Speaker is not responsible for the mace in the first place. The sergeants-at-arms are in charge of it, and when plenary was held, the standard mace was used. I am unsure where these claims about a fake mace are coming from.

“If he has proof, he should present it. The burden of proof lies on the accuser,” Ogundipe told The PUNCH.

Obasa also referenced previous instances of leadership changes in the House, saying, “When former Speaker Jokotola Pelumi was impeached, he was present, and the process was conducted on the House floor without police interference or a fake mace.”

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