Politics

IMPEACHMENT: Lagos Ex-Speaker, Obasa’s ‘Sins’ Revealed

Published

6 months ago

January 14, 2025

In a dramatic turn of events, the Lagos State House of Assembly yesterday impeached Speaker Mudashiru Obasa over alleged gross misconduct.

His removal while he was in the United States followed allegations of misappropriation of funds, high-handedness and lack of transparency in the management of the Assembly’s affairs.

The impeachment sparked jubilation among lawmakers.

Obasa, in his third term as Speaker since 2015, represents Agege Constituency I.

Femi Saheed, who represents Kosofe Constituency II, moved the motion for the impeachment.

Citing Section 92(2) (C) of the 1999 Constitution, Saheed accused Obasa of gross misconduct and poor leadership.

He accused the Speaker of perpetual lateness, high-handedness, and intimidation of members.

The impeachment motion was seconded by Aro Moshood Abiodun (Ikorodu II).

Thirty-two of the 40-member House affirmed the impeachment through a voice vote.

Following Obasa’s impeachment, his deputy, Mrs. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, who represents Apapa Constituency 1, was elected the new Speaker.

She made history as the first female to occupy the office.

Fatai Mojeed (Ibeju-Lekki I) was elected the Deputy Speaker.

Amid the charged atmosphere, the House suspended the Clerk of the Assembly, Olalekan Onafeko, and replaced him with Mr. Abubakar Taiwo Ottun in acting capacity.

The impeachment, which happened in the early hours, saw the Assembly premises cordoned off by police.

Read Also: Recapitalisation: Bank mergers, acquisitions loom
A heavy presence of security operatives was visible both within and outside the premises.

A group of protesters from Obasa’s constituency stormed the Assembly, but were rounded up and detained inside a Black Maria from where they sang “On your mandate, we shall stand” while begging for water.

The Speaker’s photographs at different locations inside the Assembly were removed.

Assembly workers were seen beaming with smiles as the events unfolded.

Obasa’s removal long overdue, says Oki

A chieftain of the APC in Lagos, Fuad Oki, said Obasa’s removal was long overdue.

Speaking on Channels, he said Obasa rebuffed several attempts by the party leadership to resolve issues.

He dismissed insinuations that the former speaker was removed over his governorship ambition.

He said: “I think Obasa’s removal was coming late. For any discerning mind, events in the last three months indicated that Obasa’s days were numbered.

“In the last 18 months, there have been signs.

“Don’t forget the event that happened on the day Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu presented the 2025 Appropriation Bill.

“Not only was the governor kept waiting for over four hours, but all the leadership of the party and all dignitaries who went to witness the epoch event were kept waiting for over five hours without apologies.

“And when Obasa came into the Chambers, he did not extend any courtesies; rather, he presented himself as the emperor.

“That showed clearly that his days were numbered.

“Before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu came for his holiday, there had been a series of meetings to resolve grey areas.

“In fact, there was a particular meeting that involved the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), the governor, the ousted Speaker and some other political leaders.

“It is not good to have a political office holder whose ways cannot be checked and corrected.”

Obasa’s ‘sins’

Obasa was accused of financial irregularities, which included a N44billion allocated for vehicles.

There was also the allegation of N15.6billion allocated for office construction, amid claims that existing facilities were functional.

Sometime in October 2020, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) interrogated Obasa for owning over 60 bank accounts.

He was also accused of awarding contracts to himself, using different fronts and spending N80 million as allowance during the training of wives of 20 lawmakers in Dubai.

His removal came barely a month after he was accused by a group, Lagos State Anti-Corruption Coalition, of spending N17 billion to construct a gate that leads to the Assembly complex and N200 million on a thanksgiving service.

In 2023, the Assembly faced a backlash after rejecting 17 out of 39 commissioner-nominees.

Obasa had denied any rift with the governor, with the GAC – the highest decision-making body of the APC in Lagos – intervening.

Obasa also got into trouble over the contentious 2024 Lagos State Local Council Administration law.

The bill sought to replace the existing 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) created in 2003 with democratically elected local governments, recognising only 20 LGAs as outlined in the 1999 Constitution.

‘House pledges to work with Executive’

The new leadership has pledged a harmonious relationship with the executive arm of government.

House Committee on Information Chairman Mr Stephen Ogundipe (APC- Oshodi/Isolo I) said under the new Speaker, the Assembly would ensure the executive arm enjoys the support of the legislature.

The lawmaker said a good relationship between the executive and legislature was necessary to achieve the development goals of the current administration in the state.

Ogundipe said: “There is no division in the House over the development.

“All members have pledged allegiance to the new Speaker, Mrs Mojisola Meranda, and she has since settled down in office.

“She has assured of legislature’s harmonious working relationship with the executive and that all hands must be on deck to ensure the continued development of the state.”
NATION

Politics

INEC Announces Dates For Commencement Of Continuous Voter Registration In Osun

Published

18 hours ago

July 7, 2025

Editor

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Osun State Office has given the dates for the commencement of the Continuous Voter Registration, CVR.

This is coming after INEC formally announced August 8, 2026 as the date for the governorship election in Osun State.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Mutiu Agboke who made this known during a meeting with Electoral Officers, EOs, on Monday in Osogbo revealed that the CVR is scheduled to commence on August 18, 2025 for the first phase and august 25, 2025 for the second phase.

Agboke also said the meeting was convened as a crucial preparation to assess the readiness of the Electoral Officers for the upcoming CVR exercise.

The meeting, he also said is to deliberate on operational issues and general preparedness ahead of the CVR.

In his words, “the meeting was designed to examine the state of affairs with respect to the CVR as it would provide a platform for internal review before engaging with wider stakeholders.x”

He explained that, “Online registration is slated to commence on 18 August, while physical, in-person registration is scheduled for 25 August. It is important for us to understand each other and align our strategies before we begin.”

Dr Agboke emphasised the need to know their mindset, the level of reality in order to effectively respond to challenges and make adequate preparations for a successful exercise.

He also noted that the second part of the meeting would involve a general assessment of INEC local government offices focusing on infrastructure, logistics, and workforce readiness.

“We want to critically examine INEC local governments offices and their officers to ensure everything is in order.

“The meeting is crucial for us to talk to ourselves and have an understanding before we bring the general stakeholders on board,” Dr. Agboke added.

He commended the EOs for their determination and resilience in keeping their offices operational despite the challenges.

“I appreciate your commitment to ensuring that the INEC LG offices keep functioning effectively ahead of the exercise,” he said.

Chairman of the Osun Electoral Officers Forum and EO of Ifelodun Local Government, Abdulkadir Azeez, expressed gratitude to the REC for his leadership.

Azeez also acknowledged the REC’s efforts in improving the operations of the Osun INEC Office.

“Your trust in us as EOs has been encouraging. We appreciate the REC for his open-door policy and constant engagement,” he said.

He assured the REC that all Electoral Officers in the state are fully prepared for the registration exercise.

“We have been working towards this, and we remain confident that the CVR will be hitch-free. We are ready, and I can vouch for the ability and competence of every EO in this state,” Azeez concluded.

Politics

2027: Peter Obi Speaks On Running For President, Deal With Atiku

Published

1 day ago

July 6, 2025

Editor

Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Mr. Peter Obi, has reaffirmed his ambition to contest the 2027 presidential election, debunking speculation that he may team up with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as a running mate.

Speaking on Sunday Politics, a Channels TV programme, Obi dismissed suggestions that he was considering a vice-presidential slot under Atiku or any other candidate.

“Nobody has ever discussed with me whether to be A or B or C,” Obi said. “I am going to contest for the President of Nigeria, and I believe I’m qualified.”

Obi also clarified that the coalition of opposition parties, which recently adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its platform ahead of 2027, was not a departure from the Labour Party, nor was it an act of disloyalty.

“There is nothing anti-party in the decision,” he explained. “We are not abandoning where we are. We are going there together. What is constant is that we have agreed to work together.”

On his association with some political figures regarded by critics as controversial or having baggage, Obi argued that inclusive leadership was essential to national progress.

“The job of a leader is to change,” he said. “You need everybody. If you want to serve, you must serve everybody.”

The former Anambra governor also took a swipe at the Bola Tinubu-led administration, criticising its handling of governance and promising to offer a more disciplined and competent leadership if elected.

“We’re going to ensure that we remove Tinubu’s government by all lawful means,” he said. “I will govern within the law, I will bring civility to Nigeria, and I will appoint competent people into office. I will not be Minister of Petroleum.”

Obi’s remarks come as opposition figures intensify efforts to form a united front in the run-up to 2027, amid growing concerns over economic hardship and governance under the current administration.

Politics

Coalition Illogical, Driven By Personal Ambition – Bode George

Published

2 days ago

July 6, 2025

Editor

Elder statesman and founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has criticised former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar and former Senate President, David Mark for “messing up” the PDP and aligning with the Alliance for Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition. He said the coalition is driven by personal ambition, not the collective interest of Nigeria.

George, in an exclusive interview with Sunday Tribune, described the coalition as illogical, ill-timed, and lacking substance. He questioned the rationale behind their departure from the PDP, especially at a time when the party had resolved its internal crisis.

Prominent politicians, including Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, and their counterparts from Kaduna, Rivers, and Osun States—Nasir El-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rauf Aregbesola, respectively—formally adopted the ADC as their coalition platform on Wednesday in Abuja.

Reacting to the alliance, George said: “If it is not self-aggrandisement, what are they running away from? If your roof is leaking, would you run away from the house? No. You stay there and repair it. What is wrong with the PDP? We had a crisis in the party, which they were part of. We’ve resolved it, so why are they running? I have appealed to them to have a rethink and return home. If they don’t, let them stay where they are. It doesn’t matter.”

He expressed disappointment over their decision to abandon the PDP and form a coalition to oust President Bola Tinubu, rather than staying to build the party.

“Is dumping the PDP and forming a coalition the right way to send President Tinubu out of office?” he queried.

In addition, he said: “They have divided the house they built, and that means they are pursuing personal ambition, not the corporate interest of this country. What is Atiku looking for in the coalition? What is David Mark looking for? They caused the mess at the last National Convention. You don’t need a degree to see that it’s illogical. What are they seeking? They just want to sack Bola Tinubu, and now they’re congregating. Everybody in that coalition wants to be president—so how will that work? I wish them the best of luck.”

However, he appealed to them to return to the PDP to help rebuild the nation.

“They should all come back and help rebuild the broken walls of this nation. In the PDP, we have resolved our crisis. This isn’t the right time to walk away. These are people who have benefitted immensely from the party. One was the number two man in Nigeria. Another, who claims to be acting chairman, was the number three. What more do they want? I’m disenchanted. I’m angry. What kind of reasoning is this? Do you go to war and surrender to the enemy? Everyone in that coalition, except Rauf Aregbesola, came from the PDP. The PDP made them who they are today.”

“Now that we’ve resolved our crisis and are settling down to build unity, they’re off forming a coalition. An iroko tree doesn’t just sprout and fall in the bush. No matter the storm, the iroko stands tall. Maybe Bola Tinubu has gone to consult a babalawo (herbalist), and that’s what’s disturbing them and making them act irrationally. I don’t believe in babalawo, but maybe he has—and that’s why they’re running around.”

“Our party doesn’t have a single person who owns it. He is just a member like everyone else. He has to redefine his position. Bola has reportedly told him to go and deliver the FCT and Rivers State, and he says he’s still working there.”

“Let the next NEC meeting come; decisions will be made. For me, this coalition is a non-issue. It’s all selfishness and self-aggrandisement. At a time when we should be talking about the corporate existence and livelihood of ordinary Nigerians, they’re not doing that. Nigerians will decide,” he concluded.
(TRIBUNE ONLINE)