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‘Lagos Lawmakers List Obasa’s Sins Which Led To His Impeachment’
The Lagos State House of Assembly has explained its decision to impeach former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa on Monday, citing persistent lateness, authoritarian leadership, and incitement of divisions among members.
Obasa, who represented the Agege constituency, was replaced by his deputy, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda of Apapa I, making her the first female Speaker in the Assembly’s history.
In a sweeping leadership overhaul, the lawmakers also removed the Clerk, Olalekan Onafeko, reportedly appointed by Obasa during his tenure.
Grounds for Impeachment
The motion to impeach Obasa, moved by Femi Saheed under Matters of Urgent Public Importance, accused the former Speaker of gross misconduct. Invoking Section 92(2)(C) of the Nigerian Constitution, Saheed outlined several charges, including:
Persistent lateness to legislative sessions.
Highhandedness and disregard for fellow lawmakers.
Abuse of office and privileges.
Intimidation of members and promotion of internal divisions.
Undemocratic and authoritarian practices.
Saheed described the impeachment as a necessary step to restore order, democracy, and integrity within the Assembly. The motion was unanimously supported by 32 members through a voice vote, officially ending Obasa’s decade-long tenure as Speaker.
Leadership Restructuring
Following the impeachment:
Mojisola Meranda was elected as the new Speaker.
Fatai Mojeed emerged as the Deputy Speaker.
Abubakar Ottun was appointed Acting Clerk after the suspension of Olalekan Onafeko.
Enhanced Security Measures
In the aftermath, the Assembly complex was secured by armed personnel from the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Lagos Task Force, and the state police. Visitors and motorists were turned away, while some individuals, reportedly supporters of Obasa, were arrested for attempting to breach security. Charms and amulets allegedly linked to these supporters were recovered.
Financial Mismanagement Allegations
Obasa’s administration faced growing scrutiny over allegations of financial impropriety, particularly involving budget allocations and expenditures:
Vehicle Allocations: Despite ₦30.19 billion allocated in 2023 and ₦13.33 billion in 2024 for official vehicles, no vehicles were reportedly purchased in 2023, and only a fraction of the 2024 funds has been accounted for.
Capital Projects: Critics questioned ₦15.65 billion allocated for office construction in 2023 and 2024, deeming the expenditure excessive given the functionality of existing facilities.
Property Investments: ₦1.1 billion allocated for properties in 2023 and ₦126 million in 2024 for properties in Abuja raised concerns about misplaced priorities.
These alleged irregularities have fueled public outrage, with citizens and advocacy groups demanding greater accountability.
Abiodun Tobun, representing Epe Constituency 1, stated that the decision to impeach Obasa was a collective effort to safeguard the Assembly’s image and promote inclusivity. “Change is inevitable, and we believe this step is necessary for the progress of Lagos State,” Tobun explained.
Civil society groups have also raised questions about Obasa’s stewardship, particularly the reported ₦17 billion spent on fixing the Assembly gate. Obasa dismissed the claim as “spurious and absurd,” adding that such allegations are politically motivated ahead of the 2027 elections.
Advocacy groups and concerned residents have urged the Assembly to provide a detailed breakdown of expenditures over the past two years. They argue that without transparency, governance risks becoming a tool for personal enrichment at the expense of public welfare.
The impeachment of Mudashiru Obasa underscores the growing demand for accountability and transparency within Nigeria’s political institutions. With new leadership under Speaker Mojisola Meranda, the Lagos State House of Assembly aims to restore public confidence and focus on delivering its legislative responsibilities effectively.
The Presidency has clarified that former Finance Minister Wale Edun and former Housing Minister Ahmed Musa Dangiwa voluntarily resigned their positions before President Bola Tinubu announced their replacements on Tuesday, dismissing insinuations that the two ministers were fired.
Edun, who turned 70 on Monday, submitted his resignation letter on his birthday, citing health reasons.
He paid a valedictory visit to the President at the Villa on Tuesday, holding an hour-long discussion before departing to focus on his private businesses.
“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Edun wrote in his resignation letter, adding that Nigeria had emerged stronger and more internationally respected under Tinubu’s leadership.
Dangiwa similarly tendered his resignation and thanked the President for the opportunity to serve in the Federal Executive Council.
Edun, an economist and investment banker, served as Lagos State Commissioner for Finance between 1999 and 2004 under then Governor Tinubu.
He co-founded Investment Banking and Trust Company Limited, now Stanbic IBTC, in 1989, and later founded the Chapelhill Denham Group in 1994.
Dangiwa, an architect, previously served as Managing Director of the Federal Mortgage Bank between 2015 and 2022 and as Secretary to the Katsina State Government before his ministerial appointment in August 2023.
Tinubu expressed appreciation to both men for their contributions to his administration’s economic reform programme and urged the incoming Finance Minister, Taiwo Oyedele, to consolidate ongoing reforms with renewed focus and discipline.
The President is expected to shortly transmit the name of Muttaqha Rabe Darma, also from Katsina, to the Senate for confirmation as the new Housing Minister.
The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party took a fresh turn on Wednesday as its factional national chairman, Tanimu Turaki, was arraigned before a High Court in the Federal Capital Territory.
Turaki appeared before the court sitting in Maitama over allegations of giving false information to the police. The case adds another legal twist to the ongoing internal struggles within the party.
The senior lawyer, who holds the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him in open court.
Proceedings were brief but closely watched, given his position and the tension within the party.
The prosecution, led by the office of the Inspector-General of Police, told the court that the defendant had written a petition dated October 5, 2022. In the said petition, he allegedly accused one Saidi Mainasara, with “intent to trigger police action” against him. The authorities argue that the information provided in that petition was false and misleading.
Following his plea, the court considered his bail application. The presiding judge granted him bail in the sum of N100 million. The court also set conditions to ensure his appearance during trial, though details of the sureties were not extensively argued in open court.
After granting bail, the court adjourned the matter to a later date for continuation of hearing. Legal teams on both sides are expected to prepare for a more detailed argument when proceedings resume.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan meets President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday met former President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa.
This was disclosed by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
A reason for the meeting has not been disclosed as at the time of filing this report.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan meets President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Meanwhile, Jonathan has responded to erstwhile Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his submission on his competency during his time in office.
Atiku, during a live television interview, claimed that Jonathan made many mistakes while he was President because he was inexperienced.
“I know Goodluck Jonathan very well. He is a decent young man, but also inexperienced, and I believe that contributed to his inability to manage the affairs of the country, particularly when he was faced with challenges,” he said.
Reacting to Atiku’s statement during the 2025 Association of Retired Career Ambassadors of Nigeria awards ceremony in Abuja on Monday, Jonathan said no one who becomes a governor or president would say he did not make mistakes.
He defended his administration, adding that he did his best while in office.
Jonathan said: “So not too long ago, a very senior politician said, ‘Oh, Jonathan was too young and probably that’s why he made mistakes.’
“If I made mistakes, yes, nobody who becomes a governor or a president will say you did not make mistakes. Even when you promote yourself to the level of a god, you become a deity.
“All human beings must make mistakes. I became president in 2010 at the age of 53. I left in 2015 at the age of 58, and they say I was too young. Must it have been 100 years before I ran the affairs of the state?”
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