Obasa Presides Over Plenary with Just Four Lawmakers Amid Assembly Crisis in Lagos

By Omowumi Omotosho

The ousted speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, presided over a controversial plenary session on Thursday, despite the absence of most lawmakers.

The Lagos assembly, which comprises 40 members, saw only four legislators attending the session. The majority opted not to participate, even though they were present within the assembly complex.

Reports indicate that security operatives forcefully open the chamber doors to grant access to Obasa and his allies. Accompanying him were Ayinde Akinsanya and Noheem Adams, the representatives of Mushin Constituencies I and II, respectively.

Earlier on Tuesday Obasa arrived at the assembly complex under heavy security and proclaimed himself as the legitimate speaker, arguing that his removal lacked due process.

“I’ve never been removed. Impeachment or removal is democratic and constitutional, but in doing that, you must follow due process. I am not against that. If I do that, then I am not democratic,” he stated.

Obasa was removed from office on January 13 while he was out of the country, with Mojisola Meranda sworn in as his replacement. However, his insistence on retaining the position has deepened the political tensions within the state assembly.