Recall that OwelekeTV News reports that the members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, yesterday, impeached the embattled Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, over alleged financial misappropriation.
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Fouad Oki, has stated that Mudashiru Obasa’s impeachment as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly was essential to holding him accountable for his actions.
Following Obasa’s impeachment, Oki made the statement while addressing questions regarding the shocking impeachment in an interview on Channels Television monitored by OwelekeTV.
Obasa, a sixth-term APC lawmaker representing Agege Constituency I, was impeached on Monday by the Lagos State House of Assembly over allegations of fraud.
Assembly’s vote of confidence then turned to the deputy speaker, Mojisola Meranda, who was elected to lead the house shortly after Obasa’s dismissal.
Reacting, Oki described Obasa’s impeachment as foreseeable, accusing him of acting like an “emperor” and adding that events over the past three months had signalled the end of his tenure.
His words:
“He saw himself as an emperor. It became very obvious that there was a need for a change in the leadership of the parliament in Lagos.
“If you cast your mind back, you must have seen this coming in the last 18 months.
“Recall the events on the day when the governor presented the 2025 appropriation bill and the leadership of the party was invited to the convention.
“Not only was the governor kept waiting for over four hours, but the leadership of the party and all invited dignitaries were also kept waiting with no apologies or excuses. And when he came into the chambers, courtesies, too, were not extended to anyone.
“Rather, it was a situation or an event of letting people know that I am the emperor here. One of the ways to check such an irresponsible attitude is by calling his excesses to order.”
Oki further stated that the impeachment was carried out in President Bola Tinubu’s best interest to ensure Lagos remained central to his political leadership.
He said,
“Before the president came home, this issue had been lingering. In the wisdom of members of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), the president’s attention was called.
“The president, as father and leader, called a meeting wherein he tried to make sense out of the observations raised by elders of the party.
“Unfortunately, the president saw by himself a recalcitrant. I think that is what broke the camel’s back.”
In a relative report, the details of Mudashiru Obasa causes wild celebration among the members of the state house of assembly when in his stead, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, representing Apapa Constituency I, making her the first female Speaker in the history of the House.
The Assembly also removed the Clerk, Olalekan Onafeko, and dissolved all House committees.
An elated Speaker Meranda, sworn in at 9 am, said she would unveil her plans next week, saying
“I will not be able to talk now.”
Obasa Speaks
Although the former speaker maintained that he was innocent of the accusations, the impeachment ended his 10 years reign as speaker, which makes him the longest speaker of the House since its inception in the Republic.
Obasa brought Onafeko to the assembly; they became close confidants and were behind the ban on journalists covering the activities of the House for over two years now.
The Event
Following his removal, armed security personnel of the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, Lagos Taskforce, and Lagos Police Command, took over the premises and environs stopping every motorist and person from gaining access to the assembly.
Some miscreants, who tried to invade the complex were intercepted and arrested by vigilant security personnel and clamped into a waiting Black-Maria. Some charms and amulets were also recovered from the miscreants believed to be from Agege Constituency, which Obasa represents.
Obasa Impeachment
The lawmakers moved against Obasa over alleged misappropriation of funds and lack of transparency in the management of the Assembly via a motion under the Matter of Urgent Public Importance by Femi Saheed.
Saheed, citing Section 92(2) (C) of the Constitution, accused Obasa of gross misconduct and poor leadership, which included perpetual lateness to legislative sessions and meetings; high-handedness and lack of regard of honourable members; gross abuse of office and privileges; intimidation and oppression of honourable members by inciting members against one another among others.
He mentioned that Obasa also practiced an authoritarian and undemocratic leadership style in discharging his duties, and therefore moved the motion for his impeachment.
Following the adoption of the motion, the impeachment was made by 32 of the 40-member House through a voice vote.
Subsequently, they chose Meranda as the new speaker and Fatai Mojeed as deputy speaker.
Clerk, Onafeko removed, all committees dissolved
In a related development, the House also suspended the Clerk of the Assembly, Mr Olalekan Onafeko.
He has been replaced by Mr. Abubakar Taiwo Ottun as acting Clerk of the House.
Why we sacked Obasa
Subsequently, Abiodun Tobun, representing Epe Constituency 1, speaking with newsmen monitored closely by OwelekeTV, explained why the members changed the leadership of the House.
“The Lagos State House of Assembly declared its decision to impeach Speaker Mudashiru Obasa. The impeachment was a unanimous decision by the lawmakers.
“The lawmakers agreed to take this step to safeguard our image and Lagos State. Change is inevitable, and we felt it was time for a new direction.
“All standing committees and principal office positions have been dissolved. We are determined to work together to elevate the Assembly and deliver on our responsibilities to Lagosians,” Tobun said.
He explained that the Constitution empowers the Assembly to regulate its proceedings, and members reached a consensus to end Obasa’s tenure.
The lawmakers assured the public of their commitment to the progress and stability of Lagos State under the new leadership.
Things to know about Lagos first female speaker, Meranda
Born to the noble family of late Chief Lawal Akapo (Ojora of Lagos) and Princess M. A. Lawal-Akapo of the royal families of Ojora, Aromire, Onitana, Oloto, and Oniru royal families, Mrs. Mojisola Meranda is a sibling to the Oniru of Irulaland, Oba Gbolhan Lawal.
She had her primary education at St. Charles Nursery and Primary school and later on at Randle primary school. She attended Anglican Girls Grammar school and Ansar-Ud-Deen secondary school both in Surulere where she held the posts of the library prefect and secretary press club, she obtained the West African school certificate (WASC) examination in the college.
According to reports recieved by OwelekeTV, Obasa had been accused of financial mismanagement involving N44 billion allocated for vehicles and capital projects over two years.
This development has generated concerns and raised questions about transparency and accountability in the Assembly’s financial operations from critics, including lawmakers and residents.
Alleged vehicle allocations
A significant portion of the controversy had stemmed from the Assembly’s vehicle budget.
According to available official records on the Lagos House of Assembly Budget Performance, in 2023, N30.19 billion was allocated for vehicles, including official cars, utility buses, and backup vehicles. Another N13.33 billion was earmarked for vehicles in 2024.
However, investigations revealed that no vehicles were purchased in 2023, and only a small fraction of the 2024 allocation has been accounted for.
Other questionable capital projects include: N1.1 billion for properties in 2023; N126 million in 2024 for properties in Abuja; N15.65 billion for office construction in 2023 and 2024; and spending N17 billion on the fixing of complex gate.
In his reaction, Obasa described the allegations as “fake news, spurious and funny.”
This was in apparent reaction to claims by a group, Lagos State Anti-Corruption Coalition, accusing the Assembly of spending N17 billion to construct a gate.
Obasa reacts
Obasa said the allegation stemmed from the fear of some people over the 2027 polls which are still more than two years away.
The speaker further debunked the claim that the Assembly spent N200 million on its recently organised Thanksgiving Service for staff.
Obasa said:
“It is so funny. How much is the allocation of the Assembly in the whole year that we will decide to spend N17 billion on a gate? They even claimed that we spent N200 million on thanksgiving that did not hold.”
Addressing further claims by the group about the alleged relationship between him and the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, Obasa denied attending the latter’s screening and confirmation by the National Assembly.
What Led to Impeachement?
Tensions mounted during the recent 2025 budget presentation, when Obasa, in apparent show of power, left party leaders and Governor Bababjide Sanwo-Olu, his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, in rude shock after subjecting them to a long wait.
During the screening of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s nominees for commissioners, Obasa spearheaded opposition to names of nominees which eventually led to rejection, subjecting the governor to ridicule.
It took the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, the Governance Advisory Council, GAC, and APC party leaders to save the situation from snowballing into a heated Executive, Legislative face-off.
Meanwhile, in another report submitted to OwelekeTV Governor Bababjide Sanwo-Olu skipped yesterday’s Executive Council Meeting as the news of Obasa filtered in.
It was gathered that Sanwo-Olu, had stayed back at the state House, Marina, and delegated his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, to take charge of the weekly EXCO meeting, while monitoring the impeachment saga as it was unfolding.
And as at the time of filing this report, Sanwo-Olu, is yet to make any comment on the development.
Tinubu Tried to Save Obasa
In the report reaching OwelekeTV News, and to reiterate, it seems Tinubu’s interest in the statesman broke as explained by Oki, when President Bola Tinubu attempted to intervene in the Lagos State House of Assembly leadership crisis during the Christmas holiday.
He mentioned that Tinubu made “efforts” to mediate the crisis within the assembly, but Obasa’s unyielding stance led to his eventual removal.
According to the APC chieftain, the party’s Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) called Tinubu’s attention to the matter during the Christmas holiday when the president was in Lagos.
“Before the president came home, this issue had been lingering. In the wisdom of members of the GAC, the president’s attention was called,” Oki explained.
“The president, as father and leader, called a meeting wherein he tried to make sense of the observations raised by elders of the party. Unfortunately, the president saw by himself a recalcitrant Obasa. I think that is what broke the camel’s back.”
Oki emphasised that the decision to impeach Obasa was not taken lightly, noting that it was a culmination of unresolved tensions and Obasa’s failure to heed party elders’ advice.
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