By Sunday Ani

The impeached Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has said his removal did not follow the due process of law, claiming that he retains his position.

Obasa was removed by 32 out of the 40 members of the assembly on January 13, 2025, over allegations of misconduct and mismanagement of funds.

He was quickly replaced by his former Deputy, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda.

Addressing members of the Mandate Movement and politicians from some local government areas in the state at the official residence of the Lagos Speaker in GRA, Ikeja, on Saturday, Obasa stressed that the allegations levelled against him by his colleagues cannot be substantiated.

He boasted that he is the most experienced lawmaker in the assembly having been elected six times since 2003.

“I thank you for your support and dedication. I will take this advantage to debunk the allegations that were circulated and raised about me

“Is it possible to construct an ordinary gate with N16 billion? It is not the wall of Jericho or the wall that demarcates the United States of America and Mexico.

“How can they say we bought one Hilux bus for N1 billion and that we bought 40 pieces for N40 billion? Talking about Thanksgiving, they should compare the one they said we spent N200 million on and the one organised by the state government.

“I am not disturbed or perturbed and I am not afraid. I will debunk all the allegations levelled against me by the House.

“I have not done anything wrong. I have been a lawmaker for over two decades and I am the longest-serving lawmaker in the House,” he said.

He argued that due process ought to have been followed before his removal.

Obasa also accused the Lagos State Commissioner of Police of leading police officers to invade the state assembly on the day of his removal.

He noted that over 200 policemen also invaded his private residence in Agege and blocked the gate, preventing members of his family from going out of the house.

“I am not afraid of being removed. After all, it is not my father’s chieftaincy title. I am representing my people and they have returned me six times. If you want to do anything, do it well.

“They removed me because I was out of the country. Lagos is a special place, we cannot denigrate the state.

“When former Speaker, Jokotola Pelumi was removed, he was in the assembly and we did not invite policemen. When my sister, former deputy speaker of the House, Adefunmilayo Tejuosho was removed, we did not invite the police.

“They should not discredit an innocent person. They should prove their allegations against me. The Lagos State House of Assembly is above the common standard of excellence.

“I believe in the image of our institution. We must not destroy it and I will never partake in its destruction.

“I appreciate the members of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. He is my brother and he always calls me his younger brother,” he stated.

Obasa also thanked Oluremi Tinunu, and President Bola Tinubu, who he said would always be his father.

He recalled that he had been with President Tinubu from his days in the Social Democratic Party (SDP), adding that he never expected to be Speaker in 2015, but Tinubu supported him even when everyone was against him.