Lagos, Nigeria — The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, has been impeached by members of the House, a reliable source confirmed on Sunday. The Deputy Speaker, Hon. Lasbat Meranda, has been elected as his replacement, while Hon. Fatai Mojeed, the Deputy Chief Whip, has been appointed the new Deputy Speaker.
The impeachment comes amid long-standing controversies surrounding Obasa’s financial dealings and alleged corruption. According to an anonymous source within the Assembly, the decision was made swiftly, though no official statement has yet been released by the Assembly itself.
The terse message from the source read, “Obasa is impeached. And the deputy speaker, Mojisola Meranda, has been elected speaker. Mojeed Fatai is the Deputy Speaker.”
Interestingly, at the time of his impeachment, Obasa, 52, was not present in the country. Reports indicate that he was in Atlanta, Georgia, when the vote was passed.
Obasa’s tenure as Speaker, which began on June 8, 2015, has been marred by allegations of financial mismanagement and political scandals. Under his leadership, the Assembly saw repeated accusations of fraud, including claims of diverting state funds to his personal businesses and accounts. In 2020, investigative reports, notably from Sahara Reporters, revealed that Obasa had significant assets across Lagos, fueling suspicions of widespread corruption.
Despite calls for his resignation, Obasa remained in office until the impeachment vote. His political career has also been tainted by accusations of using political thuggery to maintain control and influence within the Assembly. These controversies reached a peak when the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) initiated an investigation into his financial dealings. While he was questioned by the anti-graft agency, no formal charges were filed against him after he met with investigators and denied the allegations.
Obasa’s impeachment represents a significant shift in the leadership of the Lagos State House of Assembly. The selection of Meranda as Speaker and Mojeed as Deputy Speaker marks a new chapter in the state’s legislative process, though it remains to be seen how these leadership changes will affect ongoing political dynamics within Lagos State.
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