News

Why Obasa Was Impeached As Lagos Assembly Speaker After 10 years

Published

23 hours ago

January 14, 2025

Amid wild jubilation, members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, yesterday, impeached the embattled Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, over alleged financial misappropriation.

In his stead, the lawmakers chose his deputy, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, representing Apapa Constituency I, making her the first female Speaker in the history of the House.

The Assembly also removed the Clerk, Olalekan Onafeko, and dissolved all House committees.
An elated Speaker Meranda, sworn in at 9 am, said she would unveil her plans next week, saying “I will not be able to talk now.”

Although the former speaker maintained that he was innocent of the accusations, the impeachment ended his 10 years reign as speaker, which makes him the longest speaker of the House since its inception in the Republic.

Obasa brought Onafeko to the assembly; they became close confidants and were behind the ban on journalists covering the activities of the House for over two years now.

Armed security personnel take over Assembly

Following Obasa’s removal, armed security personnel of the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, Lagos Taskforce, and Lagos Police Command, took over the premises and environs stopping every motorist and person from gaining access to the assembly.

Some miscreants, who tried to invade the complex were intercepted and arrested by vigilant security personnel and clamped into a waiting Black-Maria. Some charms and amulets were also recovered from the miscreants believed to be from Agege Constituency, which Obasa represents.

How Obasa was impeached

The lawmakers moved against Obasa over alleged misappropriation of funds and lack of transparency in the management of the Assembly via a motion under the Matter of Urgent Public Importance by Femi Saheed.

Saheed, citing Section 92(2) (C) of the Constitution, accused Obasa of gross misconduct and poor leadership, which included perpetual lateness to legislative sessions and meetings; high-handedness and lack of regard of honourable members; gross abuse of office and privileges; intimidation and oppression of honourable members by inciting members against one another among others.

He mentioned that Obasa also practiced an authoritarian and undemocratic leadership style in discharging his duties, and therefore moved the motion for his impeachment.

Following the adoption of the motion, the impeachment was made by 32 of the 40-member House through a voice vote.

Subsequently, they chose Meranda as the new speaker and Fatai Mojeed as deputy speaker.

Clerk, Onafeko removed, all committees dissolved

In a related development, the House also suspended the Clerk of the Assembly, Mr Olalekan Onafeko.
He has been replaced by Mr. Abubakar Taiwo Ottun as acting Clerk of the House.

Why we sacked Obasa

Subsequently, Abiodun Tobun, representing Epe Constituency 1, speaking with newsmen, explained why the members changed the leadership of the House.

“The Lagos State House of Assembly declared its decision to impeach Speaker Mudashiru Obasa. The impeachment was a unanimous decision by the lawmakers.

“The lawmakers agreed to take this step to safeguard our image and Lagos State. Change is inevitable, and we felt it was time for a new direction.

“All standing committees and principal office positions have been dissolved. We are determined to work together to elevate the Assembly and deliver on our responsibilities to Lagosians,” Tobun said.

He explained that the Constitution empowers the Assembly to regulate its proceedings, and members reached a consensus to end Obasa’s tenure.

The lawmakers assured the public of their commitment to the progress and stability of Lagos State under the new leadership.

Things to know about Lagos first female speaker, Meranda

Born to the noble family of late Chief Lawal Akapo (Ojora of Lagos) and Princess M. A. Lawal-Akapo of the royal families of Ojora, Aromire, Onitana, Oloto, and Oniru royal families, Mrs. Mojisola Meranda is a sibling to the Oniru of Irulaland, Oba Gbolhan Lawal.

She had her primary education at St. Charles Nursery and Primary school and later on at Randle primary school. She attended Anglican Girls Grammar school and Ansar-Ud-Deen secondary school both in Surulere where she held the posts of the library prefect and secretary press club, she obtained the West African school certificate (WASC) examination in the college.

Obasa’s ‘sins’

Obasa had been accused of financial mismanagement involving N44 billion allocated for vehicles and capital projects over two years.

This development has generated concerns and raised questions about transparency and accountability in the Assembly’s financial operations from critics, including lawmakers and residents.

Alleged vehicle allocations

A significant portion of the controversy had stemmed from the Assembly’s vehicle budget.

According to available official records on the Lagos House of Assembly Budget Performance, in 2023, N30.19 billion was allocated for vehicles, including official cars, utility buses, and backup vehicles. Another N13.33 billion was earmarked for vehicles in 2024.

However, investigations revealed that no vehicles were purchased in 2023, and only a small fraction of the 2024 allocation has been accounted for.

Other questionable capital projects include: N1.1 billion for properties in 2023; N126 million in 2024 for properties in Abuja; N15.65 billion for office construction in 2023 and 2024; and spending N17 billion on the fixing of complex gate.

In his reaction, Obasa described the allegations as “fake news, spurious and funny.”

This was in apparent reaction to claims by a group, Lagos State Anti-Corruption Coalition, accusing the Assembly of spending N17 billion to construct a gate.

Obasa reacts

Obasa said the allegation stemmed from the fear of some people over the 2027 polls which are still more than two years away.

The speaker further debunked the claim that the Assembly spent N200 million on its recently organised Thanksgiving Service for staff.

Obasa said: “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.”

Addressing further claims by the group about the alleged relationship between him and the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, Obasa denied attending the latter’s screening and confirmation by the National Assembly.

Build-up to impeachment

Tensions mounted during the recent 2025 budget presentation, when Obasa, in apparent show of power, left party leaders and Governor Bababjide Sanwo-Olu, his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, in rude shock after subjecting them to a long wait.

During the screening of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s nominees for commissioners, Obasa spearheaded opposition to names of nominees which eventually led to rejection, subjecting the governor to ridicule.

It took the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, the Governance Advisory Council, GAC, and APC party leaders to save the situation from snowballing into a heated Executive, Legislative face-off.

How Sanwo-Olu received impeachment news

Meanwhile, Governor Bababjide Sanwo-Olu skipped yesterday’s Executive Council Meeting as the news of Obasa filtered in.

Vanguard gathered from a credible source that Sanwo-Olu, had stayed back at the state House, Marina, and delegated his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, to take charge of the weekly EXCO meeting, while monitoring the impeachment saga as it was unfolding.

Sanwo-Olu, at press time, was yet to make any comment on the development but multiple sources told Vanguard that he welcomed the news with great optimism for a better working relationship after a frosty experience with Obasa’s leadership.

“Good riddance to bad rubbish,” the executive members were said to have echoed during the meeting which was brief as Hamzat adjourned the meeting.

Meanwhile, Sanwo-Olu, it was gathered is likely to meet the new speaker and other principal officers soon.

Related Topics:chairman family school THANKSGIVING Tinubu

Up Next

Four states get full electricity regulatory oversight — NERC

Don't Miss

‘Lagos Lawmakers List Obasa’s Sins Which Led To His Impeachment’

Click to comment

News

2025 Budget: NASS Joint Committee Directs NCS To Block Revenue Leakages To Achive N10.5trn Target

Published

1 hour ago

January 15, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The National Assembly Joint Committee on Finance has directed Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to block leakages and put stringent measures in place in other to achieve the N10.5 trillion revenue target for the year 2025.

The Joint Committee also issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Chief Executive Officers of key revenue generating agencies including Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji, Managing Directors of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Adedayo Adeyeye and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola.

The lawmakers who zealously opposed the N6.5 trillion revenue projection presented for the year, called on the need for the Service to ensure effective monitoring of its personnel, address issues bothering on under-declaration, among other sharp practices at the nation’s ports.

In his address, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Sani Musa explained that the N10.5 trillion new revenue target was achievable after due consideration of available information obtained from the Budget Office of the Federation.and other parameters.

He however noted that the Parliament will not hesitate to raise the revenue target to N12 trillion if the issue of non-remittance of 80 percent Operating Surplus as provided by the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007 is not addressed with Fiscal Responsibility Commission.

In his presentation, FRC Chairman, Victor Murako alleged that NCS which started to comply with provisions of the Act in 2015 to 2019, has failed to remit the Operating Surplus to the Consolidated Revenue Fund till date.

According to him, the Service is indebted to the tune of N8.6 billion as at 2019, adding that the agreement reached after the intervention of the Public Accounts Committee last year was not honored by Nigeria Customs Service.

While responding to the presentation, NCS Comptroller General, Mr. Adeniyi Adewale promised to work with the Legal Department to address the issue of operating surplus between one or two weeks.

On the question bothering on the revenues accruing to Nigerian Customs Service as raised by Chairman, House Committee on Finance, Rep. James Faleke, the NCS Comptroller General disclosed that the Service collects 2 percent Value Added Tax, 7 percent collection while 4 percent FOB was yet to be implemented but being worked out by the Ministry of Finance and office of Accountant General of the Federation.

He however observed that the CISS comes occasionally over the past two years.

The lawmakers who spoke during the interactive session with heads of key revenue generating agencies including Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Nigeria Deposit Insurance Commission (NDIC), however decried the failure of heads of some government revenue generating agencies to honour invitation and appear for 2025 budget defence.

They highlighted that the affected agencies including: Nigerian Postal Service (NPS) and the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority and National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), risk withdrawal of funding for 2025 fiscal year.

Others are: Nigerian Copyright Commission, National Insurance Commission, National Pensions Commission, National Space and Research Development Agency and Nigerian Metrological Agency.

Also included are: Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporations, Airspace Management Authority, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas Limited (NLNG), Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Bank of Industry (BoI), Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaira.

In his remarks, Chairman, Senate Committee of Finance, Senator Musa observed that President Bola Tinubu while presenting the 2025 budget to the joint session of the National Assembly, mandated all the Ministers and heads of agencies to appear to defend their respective budgets before assembly with every sense of responsibility.

The Senator said that members of the National Assembly had to cut short their Christmas holidays to attend to the national assignment.

“But to our dismay a lot of agencies have refused to honor our invitations to appear before us, for us to scrutinise their performances in 2024 and look at their 2025 projection, if it is justifiable.

“The all these agencies have refused to honour the joint committee’s invitation. So by virtue of the constitutional powers that have been given to the joint Committees on Finance of both the Senate and the House of Representatives, we are given the chief executives of these agencies 48 hours within which to appear before this joint committee.

“Failure to do that the committee will not hesitate to recommend to the Appropriation Committee to withhold any appropriation to these agencies.

“If these agencies are self funded, we will also request both the Minister of Finance and the Accountant General of the Federation to withhold their funding,” he said.

Also speaking, the Chairman, House Committee on Finance, Hon. James Faleke (APC-Lagos state) said that the essence of the budget defence exercise was to boost revenue generation and cut down on borrowing.

“If these agencies refuse to appear before us, I the needful will be done by the National Assembly,” he said.

News

CDS Says Arrest Of Simon Ekpa Helped Reduced Tension In S/East

Published

2 hours ago

January 15, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has said that the arrest of Simon Ekpa in Finland has greatly reduced the tension in South East Nigeria.

According to the CDS, with this development, alongside ‘Operation Udoka’ by the Defence Headquarters, peace is gradually been restored in the region.

Naijablitznews.com recalled that ‘Operation Udoka’ was established to flush out banditry and end the sit-at-home situation in the South-East.

Musa who stated this this when he appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Defence for the 2025 budget defense on Tuesday in Abuja, assured the Nigerian military was working with the people to ensure stability in the region.

He said: “With the arrest of Simon Ekpa, it has greatly reduced the tension. Also with Operation Udoka, we’re also doing that, picking up most of the leadership that are there, taking them out, and then making sure that the place is peaceful.

“The sit-at-home on Mondays is gradually diminishing. We’re also working with the political leaders there because we understand, like I said always, we need to have the local support because without it, it’s difficult. You know, the terrain is very challenging, so we need to work together. It is improving.”

The CDS testified that the last Christmas and New Year holiday period was very peaceful because the military was proactive.

He reiterated their commitment to non-kinetic measures of addressing the security problem and this was yielding positive results.

“We had some intelligence and worked ahead to ensure that everywhere was kept peaceful. That has happened and we intend to do that and continue to do more. What we try to encourage is jointness, synergy in our operations.

“And like we always appeal for Nigerians to understand that they have to take ownership of their armed forces, they have to take ownership of the security challenges we are facing. It’s not the challenge for the armed forces alone or security agencies, it’s everybody’s responsibility to do.

“And we’re happy that we’re beginning to get that support from everywhere. Human intelligence information is coming, it’s flowing quite very well and we are taking adequate action and that’s why we see things are improving.

“What we have done is that we have established and enhanced the kinetic efforts for the three services for our operations. We have the Delta Safe, which is in the South South for Oil theft and Militancy. At least for the first time now we have been able to reach our OPEC oil quota for Nigeria and we intend to do more.

“Our target is to hit 2.2 million barrels a day for Nigeria. It’s not something that we can also do alone. We also need the other stakeholders in the oil industry to also play their own role. We are doing more, providing more security. We are close to 2 million barrels per day. We intend to do more. This year, we want to intensify our operations so that we take out.

“We have formed groups that are discussing with the locals. And we have found that that discussion has helped a lot. So we have the religious leaders, the cultural leaders, and every stakeholder is also part of it. We realize that if we carry everybody along, it makes it a lot easier. Like we said, the best general is that general that does not need to shoot. If you are able to solve the problem without firing it is better.

“So that by the time we do that, those ones are willing to move, we move them out, and those ones that are unwilling, then we go after them. But the kinetic and the non-kinetic must continue to go hand in hand. And it is working very well,” he added said.

The CDS therefore called for the improvement of border management to address the problem of smuggling. According to him, a number of children who were being trafficked have been rescued.

“We have rescued a number of children being trafficked across Nigeria to other countries. And then trafficking of drugs, small arms, light weapons. We’re working in tandem with the Customs. When we make such arrests, we call either the NDLEA or call the Customs and hand over to them. So these are extra things that we’re doing,” he said.

He reiterated the commitment of the military to ensuring peace across the country, but expressed concern about troops welfare, which he said was poor.

“Without peace, there cannot be development. And nobody is happy when things are not peaceful. Because even if you think you have, sometimes you might be the ones at the receiving end. So that has equally helped us a lot.

“Now what is our other concern? Troops’ welfare. We know generally the economy, everybody is having the heat. And we’re no more different. So we’re looking at the aspect of also improving the welfare for our troops, the RCA, Ration Cash Allowance. We’re still struggling at less than N2,000 per soldier per head to feed.

“We’re happy that Mr. President has recently increased the salaries to some extent of the junior class, which is the junior grade of personnel, which has also enhanced their ability.

“We know the country is going through so much and it’s not only the military that needs support, but I think we want to get more, we can do more.

“We also need accommodation. Every year we are recruiting almost 25,000 for all the services. And those ones going on retirement, every year they are not up to 5,000. So you see we’re getting almost 20,000 into the system. The issue of new barracks, construction, old barracks, renovation, these are issues we have to addess because now that we’re beginning to get peace.

“Gradually we’re going to return to barracks. We don’t want to go back to barracks and then we’ll start living in tents or in batchers like it was before. So it’s important that we’re able to work ahead to establish new barracks that have been established and then to be able to carry out renovation”, Musa added.

He further stressed the need to drive local manufacturing of weapons as it was difficult getting weapons internationally, this he said was a major reason the fight against insecurity has persisted.

“We also need equipment. We have also tried to increase, because we realized that, because we don’t produce what we need, it’s been very difficult. That’s one of the reasons why the warfare has continued for this long. Because we have to rely on getting hard currency to go abroad.

“When you go there to buy, again, you don’t get this thing off the shelf. Sometimes you have to pay. And now with the Ukraine-Russian war, it has made it extremely more difficult. Because America particularly is paying off most of the items. So when you go there, they say it’s already been booked. So to get it is a problem. So we realize thatWe need to also start producing what we need.

“And that we have started with the DICON bill that Mr. President signed. We are doing a lot together to try and bring for regional equipment manufacturers to come and produce in Nigeria With the DICON, what we are doing again is we have a number of local manufacturers of weapons.

“They have the talents, but they don’t have anywhere to showcase it. So the tendency is if they are not used positively, they will go because they want to survive, they will go negatively. And that’s why in some areas we have identified some people that produce very good weapons, automatic, but local.

“So what we are doing is we are trying to get them, bring them in, give them the platform so that they can come and legitimately produce this thing. And gradually, Nigeria can start producing its own kind of weapon. So we don’t have to rely on foreigners to get our own weapon.

“We are doing that and looking at experts. What we are doing, we are talent hunting them all over the country and then bringing them in to be able to produce this item for us”, he stated.

In his remarks the Chairman Committee on Defence, Rep. Babajimi Benson, said as representatives of the people, it was their duty to ensure that every Naira is judiciously spent to strengthen the operational capacity of the Air Forces and deliver tangible results.

Rep. Benson explained that this year’s budget defense was particularly significant as it comes against the backdrop of evolving global and domestic security threats.

“These recent developments highlight the need for heightened vigilance and inter-agency collaboration.

“We must leverage intelligence, technology, and best practices to neutralize emerging threats and safeguard our citizens. As we deliberate on the 2025 budget, I urge all defense agencies to prioritize strategic initiatives that align with national security objectives,” he said.

News

2025 Budget: Reps Panel Reject Envelop System Of Budget

Published

2 hours ago

January 15, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

…as it decry poor funding for Nigerian missions abroad

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs has criticized the Federal Government envelope system of budgeting, and stated that it lacks legal backing under Nigerian law.

The Committee also expressed dissatisfaction with the allocation of only ₦286 million to sustain Nigeria’s 109 foreign missions, describing the amount as grossly inadequate.

According to documents submitted by the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry had proposed a budget of about ₦1.5 trillion based on the needs of these missions.

During an interactive session with the Ministry and Budget Office of the Federation on Tuesday, the Committee Chairman, Rep. Wole Oke, expressed frustration and said, “I have not seen anywhere in our laws where envelop budgeting is mentioned.”

He described the proposed funding as insufficient for missions tasked with projecting the country’s image internationally.

“We’re concerned that what was submitted to Mr. President does not align with the actual needs assessment and is inconsistent with the law”, he added.

In response, Director General of the Budget Office, Tanimu Yakubu, stated that the allocation for foreign missions has been increased by 25 percent in the 2025 budget. He however, called on the National Assembly to pass the tax reform bills to enhance revenue generation.

Yakubu further suggested a temporary reduction in the number of Nigerian foreign missions, stating, “Why don’t we consider a significant reduction of our foreign missions until we’re able to improve our revenue?”

He noted that his hands were tied on the envelop budgeting system.

“We have 109 diplomatic missions abroad, comprising of 76 embassies, 22 High Commissions and 11 Consulates. The problem as you rightly described is as ubiquitous as Nigeria’s present worldwide.

“The situation was certainly worse three years ago when Nigeria’s debt service was proclaim almost 100 percent of the country’s revenue. We start to see improvement under this administration, when through debt financial engineering in year one, debt service was brought from as high as 100 percent to 55 percent

“If you talk to our missions abroad, they will tell that last year was the year they started experiencing some relief. We’re still not there yet. Bold reforms have been embarked on by the current administration, starting with the liberalisation of the foreign exchange rate, and the withdrawal of subsidy on PMS and other products.

“We expect to save about N11 trillion from this two models adopted. The savings started to materialize in October last year, but the main beneficiaries, especially the state governments collected the money and kept mute, but we knew that they took a lot more than they have for several years.

“We have brought before the National Assembly, tax Bills that you’re considering, that we expect you to improve so that we’ll be able to collect more revenue

“Mr President has gone out of his way to inisit on 2.12 million barrels per day, a very ambitious target for oil output… He has seen that we must look for the revenue to be to attend to these needs. That’s why this year’s budget is ambitious. Last year, it was about N36 trillion but this year, it almost N50 trillion.

“We have to continue to manage scarcity, whether we call it envelop budgeting”, he said.