The Lagos State House of Assembly has impeached its Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa over gross misconduct and abuse of office.
Mr Obasa has represented Agege Constituency 1 in the Assembly since 2007 and has been the speaker since 2015.
Obasa’s removal as the speaker is believed to have the backing of the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who has been having a running battle with him.
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The lawmakers later appointed the Deputy Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, as the new speaker of the assembly.
Mrs Meranda, who represents Apapa Constituency 1, is also a former chief whip of the house
Mr Obasa’s tenure has been marred by allegations of financial impropriety.
His removal comes barely a month after he was accused of spending N17 billion to construct a gate that leads to the assembly complex.
A group, Lagos State Anti-Corruption Coalition, accused the Assembly of spending the amount to construct a gate. The group also called for an investigation into the matter.
Addressing the allegation in December, Mr Obasa described it as spurious and funny.
“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.
“We are aware that at a period like this when we are approaching elections in 2027, we should expect such things. I think some people are scared and I don’t know why.”
Reasons for removal
Monday’s plenary sitting, where Mr Obasa was removed, was presided over by Mrs Meranda, according to a video of the proceeding seen by PREMIUM TIMES.
Femi Saheed, representing Kosofe constituency, moved the motion for the removal of the speaker for alleged misappropriation of funds, poor leadership and abuse of office.
He cited at least five reasons why Mr Obasa should be removed as the speaker of the assembly.
“…I hereby move that the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Right honourable Mudashiru Obasa be removed as speaker of this House for gross misconduct and poor leadership including highhandedness and disregard for honourable members of the House of Assembly,” he said.
The lawmaker also accused him of “intimidation and suppression of and inciting members against one another…mismanagement of funds and lack of time transparency in his management of the House of Assembly funds.”
He accused Mr Obasa of abusing his position and its privileges.
Mr Saheed also described Mr Obasa’s leadership style as “authoritarian and undemocratic.”
The motion was unopposed and all the lawmakers present supported it. The exact number of lawmakers present during Monday’s sitting could not be established as of the time of this report.
Sani lists 5 reasons behind any Speaker’s impeachment
However, in a swift reaction to the development, Shehu Sani, the Senator who represented Kaduna South in the National Assembly, in a post shared on his X page, mentioned five reasons that influenced impeachment process.
According to Sani, a speaker can be impeachment if he is having issues with the state governor, becoming too independent and possibly working with the enemies of the governor.
The PDP chieftain tweeted: “FIVE factors that can lead to the impeachment of a Speaker of a State Assembly; Experiences from 1999.”
- When there is a strong suspicion that the Speaker is plotting impeachment.
- When the Speaker is becoming too independent and resist taking orders from the Governor.
- When the speaker is not “taking good care” of members and leaving them “hungry”.
- When the Speaker is deliberately delaying or obstructing the passage of Governor’s interested Bills.
- When the speaker is strongly accused of colluding with enemies of the Governor.
List of Speakers impeached in Nigeria since 1999
Edo State
(1) Victor Edoro: Removed in 2016 by 16 of the 24 members for alleged high-handedness and financial recklessness; succeeded by Elizabeth Ativie, the assembly’s first female speaker.
(2) Frank Okiye: Impeached in October 2020; Marcus Onobun elected as replacement.
Anambra State
(3) Rita Maduagwu: Impeached in November 2018 by 22 out of 30 members of the state assembly.
Niger State
(4) Adamu Usman: Impeached in May 2015 by 18 out of 27 members; replaced by Isa Kawu.
Borno State
(5) Goni Ali Modu: Removed in February 2012 for alleged submissiveness to the state government.
Plateau state
(6) Abok Ayuba: Ousted in October 2021 by 16 out of 24 members after prolonged rivalry with the former governor, Simon Lalong.
Gombe State
(7) Abubakar Ibrahim: Impeached in November 2020; Abubakar Luggerewo emerged as the new speaker.
Delta State
(8) Monday Igbuya: Removed in May 2017 following a vote of no confidence by 22 lawmakers; succeeded by Sheriff Oborevwori.
Katsina State
(9) Aliyu Sabiu Muduru: Ousted in 2017 by 23 out of 34 members who endorsed a vote of no confidence.
Imo State
(10) Paul Emeziem: Impeached in 2021 by 19 out of 27 members; replaced by Kennedy Ibeh.
Ekiti State
(11) Kola Oluwawole: Impeached in October 2018 along with his deputy, Sina Animaun, by 14 members of the house.
(12) Gboyega Aribisogan: Removed in 2022 by 17 out of 25 members.
Taraba State
(13) Istifanus Gbana: Impeached in 2013 by 17 out of 24 members; replaced by Haruna Tsokwa.
(14) Josiah Sabo Kente: ‘Forced’ to resign in 2014.
Benue State
(15) Terkimbi Ikyange: Removed in 2018; Titus Uba elected as new speaker following a vote of no confidence.
Jigawa State
(16) Idris Garba: Removed in January 2017 over allegations of high-handedness and abuse of power; re-elected as speaker in May 2019 after the removal of Isa Idris.
Ondo State
(17) Bamidele Oloyelogun: Impeached in November 2018 alongside his deputy, Oladeji Iroju, by 18 out of 26 members on grounds of gross misconduct.
Ebonyi State
(18) Chukwuma Nwazunku: Impeached in July 2014 by over two-thirds majority on grounds of incompetence and misappropriation of public funds.
Ogun State
(19) Olakunle Oluomo: Impeached in January 2024 by 18 out of 26 members during a plenary presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Mrs. Bolanle Ajayi.
Kano State
(20) Yusuf Falgore: Impeached in December 2011; Gambo Sallau elected as replacement.
(21) Abdullahi Atta: Removed in July 2018 by 27 lawmakers citing incompetence and corruption.
Bayelsa State
(22) Emmanuel Tonye Isenah: Impeached in September 2019 following a series of gunshots in the Assembly complex. READ ALSO Breaking: Lagos Assembly Speaker Obasa impeached, reason emerge.
Kebbi State
(23) Hassan Shalla: Impeached in 2015 by 12 out of 24 members for alleged breach of trust and embezzlement.
(24) Isma’il Kamb: Removed in 2021 along with his deputy, Muhammadu Aliyu, after endorsement by 20 out of 24 members.
Abia state
(25) Chinedum Orji: Removed in May 2023 after 18 of the 24 members signed for his impeachment.
