I am still Speaker until… – Obasa

The deposed Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa has declared that he is still the Speaker until the procedure of removal is perfected.

Speaking after a grand reception held in his honour at the Speaker’s lodge in the heart of Ikeja GRA, Lagos on Saturday, Obasa berates what he perceived as a destruction of existing standard and pacesetting status that the Lagos Assembly wields amidst other state legislature in the country.
In his view a speaker can only be removed but not impeached and that is even subject to strict adherence to rules of the House.

“On my status in the House, I believe strongly I am still the Speaker, until the right thing has been done. If you want to remove me, do it in a proper way.

“I will not contest it, you know I am Moslem and we are quick to leave things in God’s hand, but let us do it the way it should be done.”

He also took a swipe on a particular character he cited as an historian of the Assembly, who allegedly labelled him to be a part of previous Speaker’s removal.

“At the same time that man that said Obasa took part in the removal of Honourable Abdulwaheed Pelumi, Hon Funmi Tejuosho and those people that were suspended.

“I have said it let me repeat it. Rt. Hon Pelumi is my brother and friend whom I fondly call ‘Booda Waidi’ till tomorrow.

“When he was removed, he was on the floor of the House, probably he was presiding, when Tejuosho was removed she was there and those who were suspended, they were around, there was no involvement of police and the chamber was not broken into.

“A fake mace was not also brought to the House. I am not afraid of being removed, (die to ninu nkan Onikan) meaning a little is enough in another man’s property.

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“If you are a member of the House for over 20 years and you are speaker for almost ten years if they say they do not want you again ‘Oga niya Muda’, what else are you looking for?

“Me I am not disturbed ooo but let them follow due process, they are all my brothers and sisters.

“It is not Obasa’s title, it is like a General, when you go to war you may or may not come back.

“So, as you can see me, I am lively and will continue to enjoy myself. I am not disturbed; I am not perturbed and I am not worried.

“But to remove you must follow the due process like I have said, we have rules, we have constitution, when you want to remove you must follow the procedure.”

On allegation of misappropriation of funds, Obasa stated that all allegations must be clearly proven.

“He who allege must prove once everything has been addressed at my own time, I will come back to you and explain everything.

“We have documents to support whatever expenditure we have incurred in the Lagos State House of Assembly and if any person believes contrary let them bring their own documents so that we will compare it, simple.

“Having an ambition to become a Governor is not a sin, is it?

“However, I have said it on the floor of the house when the budget was presented, that I had no thought of governorship but that does not mean that I am not qualified or lacked experience and I still maintain that position.

“But in the whole of Lagos state let any leader, anybody come out to explain that Obasa approached me and say that he wants to become a Governor.

“I commend our Governor and thank him for all he is doing, to our GAC they are our leaders, fathers and we appreciate them. To Mr President, he will forever remain my father even when the whole world was against me, He stood by me.”