Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has distanced himself from the impeachment of the Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, Lapalabras reports.
Obasa was impeachment following allegations of misappropriation of funds, high-handedness and lack of transparency in the management of the state’s assembly’s affairs.
Sanwo-Olu’s Special Adviser on Media & Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, in an interview with The PUNCH, described Obasa’s impeachment as a strict legislative affair devoid of politics or the state government’s influence or interference.
“It is purely a legislative matter and the Assembly handled it the best way they could,” Akosile was quoted as saying.
“It has nothing to do with the governor,” Akosile simply said, citing the separation of powers in the constitution, involving the Executive, Legislative, and Judiciary.
Following Obasa’s impeachment, his deputy, Mojisola Meranda, who represents Apapa Constituency 1, was elected the new Speaker.
She made history as the first female to occupy the office. Fatai Mojeed (Ibeju-Lekki I) was elected the Deputy Speaker.
The House suspended the Clerk of the Assembly, Olalekan Onafeko, and replaced him with Abubakar Taiwo Ottun in acting capacity.
Obasa, in his third term as Speaker since 2015, represents Agege Constituency I. Femi Saheed, who represents Kosofe Constituency II, moved the motion for impeachment.
Citing Section 92(2) (C) of the 1999 Constitution, Saheed accused Obasa of gross misconduct and poor leadership.
He accused the Speaker of perpetual lateness, high-handedness, and intimidation of members.
The impeachment motion was seconded by Aro Moshood Abiodun (Ikorodu II). Thirty-two of the 40-member House affirmed the impeachment through a voice vote.
