Lagos Assembly Crisis: GAC Member Defends Impeached Speaker, Cites Faulty Process, APC Keeps Distance

Obasa, speaking publicly for the first time since his impeachment, criticized the process behind his removal by lawmakers. On January 13, Obasa was ousted by 32 out of 40 lawmakers over allegations of misconduct and financial mismanagement. He was replaced by Mojisola Meranda, the former deputy speaker.

While in the United States at the time of his removal, Obasa addressed a large crowd of supporters at the Speaker’s Lodge in Ikeja, Lagos, where he denied the corruption allegations against him. He emphasized, “I believe in removal. There is no impeachment in the Assembly. Probably, there was a mistake on their part. You can only remove the speaker, but the rules of the constitution must be followed. I’m not afraid to be removed. What else am I looking for?”

In response to Obasa’s statements, Adefuye, speaking to Sunday PUNCH, agreed with the former speaker, saying, “What he’s saying is that he was illegally removed and the procedure was faulty, and I agree with him.”

Meanwhile, GAC Chairman Tajudeen Olusi refrained from commenting directly on the issue, stating that his role was to ensure the effective functioning of the party in the state. He remarked, “Obasa said his removal was illegal. If that statement is true, it’s a legal matter, and I’m not a lawyer. It’s not directly my concern. My responsibility is to ensure peace, harmony, and cooperation within my party.”

The APC’s Publicity Secretary in Lagos, Seye Oladejo, also stated that the party would not intervene in the House’s internal matters. “The election of the leadership of the House is strictly an internal affair. The party is not involved and has no intention of interfering,” Oladejo affirmed.