- Mudashiru Obasa visited the Lagos Assembly and declared he never truly resigned despite impeachment
- The ousted Speaker claimed Meranda publicly confirmed resignation at a peace meeting with party leaders
- Lagos State Commissioner of Police clarified the withdrawal of Meranda’s security as an administrative process
Mudashiru Obasa claimed that Mojisola Meranda had agreed to resign as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly during a peace meeting. Meranda, who replaced Obasa as Speaker in January, had previously rejected his removal.
However, Obasa stated that during the peace meeting, which was attended by party leaders and Assembly members, Meranda publicly confirmed her resignation.
“There was a meeting that took place in Marina where we had in attendance all the party leaders and all the members [of Lagos Assembly], and openly Meranda herself made a statement that she has stepped down and she has resigned,” Obasa said during Thursday February 27 edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today.
Obasa defends withdrawal of Meranda's security aides
Obasa was responding to the withdrawal of Meranda’s security aides by the Lagos State Police. He argued that since she had agreed to resign, it was appropriate for her security details to be removed.
“So, when you resign from an office, you know, the paraphernalia of office will be taken away now,” Obasa stated.
However, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police Moshood Jimoh explained that the withdrawal had been part of a routine personnel audit.
He clarified that it was not a punitive action but a standard administrative process. "The security detail assigned to the Speaker was temporarily withdrawn as part of our standard auditing process to ensure efficiency and accountability within the command," Jimoh stated at a press briefing.
Police commissioner clarifies Meranda's security detail withdrawal
Recall that Obasa was removed from office in January following accusations of financial fraud and other charges, which he has denied.
On Thursday, he visited the Lagos House of Assembly complex for the first time since his impeachment. Accompanied by security personnel and supporters, he declared that he was resuming duty as Speaker.
“I’ve never been removed. Impeachment or removal is democratic and constitutional but in doing that, you must follow the due process. I am not against that. If I do that, then I am not democratic,” Obasa stated while speaking to the press.
Lagos Assembly rejects Obasa’s claim to Speaker position, backs Meranda
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that tensions rose over the leadership of the Lagos State Assembly as Mudashiru Obasa, the ousted Speaker declared his return.
Subsequently, Chairman Steven Ogundipe vowed to uphold Obasa’s removal, confirming Mojisola Meranda as the legitimate Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.