The controversy surrounding the removal of the former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has continued to draw reactions, with former Speaker and former Minister Olorunnimbe Mamora describing the process as constitutional.
Obasa was impeached and removed on January 13, 2025, by 35 out of the 40 members of the Lagos Assembly over allegations of misconduct and financial mismanagement. His former deputy, Mojisola Lasbat-Meranda, was subsequently elected as Speaker. Obasa, however, has maintained that his removal was unconstitutional, alleging that due process was not followed.
Addressing supporters, including members of the Mandate Movement and politicians from various local government areas, at his official residence in GRA, Ikeja, on Saturday, Obasa dismissed the allegations against him. He stated, “The allegations made against me by the lawmakers could not be substantiated. I am the most experienced lawmaker in the assembly, having been elected six times since 2003.”
In an exclusive interview with Vanguard, Mamora, who served as Lagos Assembly Speaker from 1999 to 2003, Lagos East Senatorial District representative from 2003 to 2011, and as a Minister under President Muhammadu Buhari, offered a detailed explanation of the removal process.
“He who must come to equity must come with clean hands. That’s my position. I like legislature a lot,” Mamora said. He noted the distinction between impeachment and removal, clarifying that the Nigerian constitution provides for removal rather than impeachment in such cases.
“If you look at the constitution, you would not find impeachment. What you find is removal. There is a difference between removal and impeachment,” he explained. “Impeachment connotes bringing allegations of wrongdoing formally and presenting them before an offending public officer. But allegations do not necessarily amount to guilt. They remain allegations unless established.”
Mamora further stated that removal in the legislature is a straightforward process requiring the support of two-thirds of the members. “The speaker is just first among equals. That is why the process for removing a Speaker or Senate President is different from removing a Governor, Deputy Governor, or President. For the Speaker, once a motion is supported by two-thirds of the members, the Speaker vacates the seat. The constitution does not even say you must state allegations.”
Mamora pointed out that allegations against Obasa were presented on the Assembly floor, and the process was carried out in line with constitutional provisions. “Allegations were presented against Obasa, and on that basis, the members went ahead to remove him in consonance with Section 92 of the constitution. So, the removal of Obasa is constitutional,” he said.
However, Mamora refrained from assessing the veracity of the allegations, saying, “If the allegations as read out on the floor of the Assembly were true, I am not in a position to determine that because I am not a member of the Assembly. But if the movers of the motion were right, they would be justified in their actions.”
Mamora also commented on claims that Obasa had disrespected the office of the Governor, which he described as inappropriate if true. “I heard of the allegation of Obasa disrespecting the office of the Governor, and if it’s true, it wouldn’t be right. The Governor is the number one person in the state as the Chief Executive, and I wouldn’t expect the Speaker to be rude or show disrespect to the Governor of the state, no matter what,” he stated.
While acknowledging reports of a meeting involving the Governor’s Advisory Council regarding the matter, Mamora clarified, “I am not a member of the GAC, but if the Speaker showed disrespect to the Governor, it would not be proper.”
The removal of Obasa has sparked significant debate, with both supporters and critics weighing in on the implications for governance in Lagos State.