- Lagos opposition parties called for an investigation into the corruption allegations that led to the impeachment of Speaker Mudasiru Obasa
- Opposition parties demanded legal accountability for Obasa if the allegations proved to be valid
- Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) spokesperson Hakeem Amode urged transparency and for the Lagos Assembly to submit a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) in Lagos State have called for an investigation into the ousted Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudasiru Obasa, following his impeachment over corruption allegations.
The parties made the demand on Tuesday, January 14, a day after Obasa's colleagues removed him from office.
The PDP’s Publicity Secretary, Hakeem Amode, stated that the state Assembly should have immediately submitted a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the fraud claims against Obasa.
PDP calls for official petition to EFCC over Obasa's corruption allegations
“As it is now, it should not be a word of mouth. He who alleges must prove. They should be fair and honest with themselves and Lagosians by sending a petition officially to the EFCC and put the allegations there so that the EFCC can then do a thorough job.
“If it’s just because they have some internal issues within themselves within their party, and they decide to remove him, they are within their rights as members of the state Assembly. They are within their rights to choose who leads them.
“But the allegation of false enrichment and all of the other allegations that were made, they need to send a petition to the anti-graft agency and Lagosians need to know what actually happened. That is, when and where? Within how many months or years? Is it something systemic that has been going on for some time or it’s just a one-off thing?
“The EFCC will be in a better position to look at it to look at it and arraign him quickly so he himself can also clear his name to say that ‘I have not done this?” Amode stated.
LP demands consequences for ousted Speaker Obasa’s alleged misconduct
In a similar statement, LP Secretary Sam Okpala emphasised that there should be consequences for Obasa's alleged misconduct.
“Speaking as a Nigerian and as a Lagosian, if there are allegations against the impeached Speaker, he should be made to face the law as long as it is not a witch-hunt, as long as it is not persecution. If there is a prima facie case against him, he should be made to face the full wrath of the law.
“Our law should not be for witch-hunt or persecution but if anybody runs foul of the law, he should face the law, that is our position,” Okpala stated.
Prominent PDP national figure, Chief Bode George, also weighed in, adding that Obasa’s impeachment was justified, particularly due to his disrespect towards the office of the governor.
PDP’s Bode George supports Obasa’s removal, slams Speaker’s disrespect
George condemned Obasa’s treatment of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu during the 2024 budget presentation as "despicable" and "dishonourable."
He said, “Immediately I heard and read about what the Speaker did—the way he treated the Executive Governor of Lagos State during the annual budget presentation—it was despicable and dishonourable.
“They are in the same party, with leaders in the party. Disrespecting him, they stood there for hours without even allowing him to present the budget. That was an infringement and a direct insult to the executive governor. Nobody will allow that,” George stated.
Obasa was removed from his position as Speaker on Monday, January 13 by fellow lawmakers, who immediately appointed the Deputy Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, as his successor.
Following her appointment, Meranda met with members of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) on Tuesday, January 14, to seek the body’s endorsement.
14 facts about Mojisola Meranda, Lagos' first female Speaker after Obasa’s impeachment
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that following the impeachment of Mudashiru Obasa, Mojisola Meranda made history as the first female Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
TheRadar compiled 14 facts about the new Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly below.