Lagos Assembly: Group warns against subversion of legislative independence

The Centre for Human and Socio-economic Rights (CHSR) has warned that any attempt to subvert new leadership at the Lagos State House of Assembly is a declaration of war against democracy and should be avoided.

CHSR President Comrade Alex Omotehinse made the assertion while addressing a press conference on tthe reported leadership crisis hampering legislative business, at it’s office in Ijaiye, Lagos on Thursday.

Citing the fact that on Monday, January 13, 2025, the Assembly made a unanimous decision to remove the former Speaker Rt.Hon Mudashiru Obasa and replaced him immediately with Rt.Hon Mojisola Meranda.

He noted that it would therefore amount to “declaration of war on democracy to continue to precipitate the needless crisis to impede the legislative business of the house, and by implication undermine governance in Lagos State.”

Omotehinse said that LAHA is an institution that is directly responsible to the people of Lagos State who elected members to serve as representatives.

“The change in leadership by the overwhelming majority of the members of the house is indeed a reflection of how elected representatives should assert themselves within the purview, procedural and legitimate essence of separation of powers which is a key attribute of democracy.

“The rights to the privilege of the members of the LAHA to choose their leaders or effect change in the leadership when such became necessary and provided such a decision is endorsed by the required numbers of the house has never been in contention, he said.

The activist added that it is indeed their expectation that members of the LAHA must have considered the overriding interests of their constituents and other stakeholders in Lagos before the change of leadership.

The activist said further that “it is our conviction, and correctly so that only bonafide members of the LAHA who must be in the majority as required by the Constitution and rule of engagement can determine how and when to choose their leaders.

“LAHA members must be allowed to exercise unfettered freedom in conducting legislative business!

“The speaker chosen by the majority of members must be allowed to preside over the business of the house without intimidation or harassment.”

The activist recalled that prior to the removal of the former Speaker, Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, his tenure was tainted by series of allegations bordering on corruption and abuse of office for which the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission under the leadership of immediate past Chairperson, Abdulrasheed Bawa commenced investigations.

He said: “Indeed, it is on record that the former EFCC boss interrogated the corruption allegations and was bent on pressing charges against the former speaker before he was unceremoniously removed from office as the chairman of the anti-graft agency.

“It was not surprising that the accusation of corruption against Rt. Hon. Obasa again reared its ugly head in the wake of the crisis that eventually culminated in his removal.”

Omotehinse emphasised that it would therefore be a monumental act of treachery for Rt. Hon Obasa to return as speaker with the barrage of allegations against his person.

“We are of the opinion that the former speaker owes it a duty to come clean of the corruption allegations rather than plotting to reclaim a position he has had the opportunity to occupy for close to 10 years.

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“Except there is something beyond the quest to serve, Rt. Hon. Obasa should accept the collective decision of his colleagues in good faith. The speaker of the legislative assembly is only first among equal and should be seen by any occupier at any given time as rare privilege and not an entitlement.

“More importantly, Lagosians expect Obasa to give peace a chance and allow the new speaker the opportunity to preside over the affairs of the house in line with the decision of the majority.Let Rt. Hon. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda be,” he stated.

Gentlemen and ladies of the Press,Stakeholders across civil society platforms and human rights groups under the aegis of Centre for Human and Socio-economic Rights (CHSR) consider it pertinent to address the press on what now appears to be a lingering unease at the Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA) following the Monday, January 13, 2025 removal of the immediate past Speaker Rt. Hon. Mudasiru Ajayi Obasa and the emergence of the new Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda.It is imperative to say that we are not unmindful of the fact that Lagos State House of Assembly is a creation of the Nigerian Constitution with the prerogative to operate within rules binding on members of the house. Our intervention therefore became necessary after careful observation of the unpleasant situation that has lasted for close to a month.

The group however, called on members of the house to remain united behind the new speaker who they said must reciprocate the confidence repose in her with diligence and commitment to legislative excellence for which LAHA is reputed.

“We equally wish to warn those who are still unpersuaded that members of LAHA should be allow to exercise their democratic freedom to desist from plotting against genuine democracy which the recent event in the assembly perfectly signifies.

“Attempt to foist Rt. Hon Obasa as a perpetual and untouchable speaker of LAHA is a huge disservice to democracy and most unwarranted assault on the collective integrity of Lagosians and the generality of the electorate,” Omotehinse said.

On the way forward, the group said that they are indeed glad that LAHA is fully back to legislative business after more than 3 weeks of unnecessary apprehension.

“We urge Rt. Hon. Speaker, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda not to be distracted by detractors and selfish interlopers undermining democracy by seeking to upturn popular legislative decisions that became expedient in the desire to move the legislative assembly forward.

“CHSR and partners will continue to monitor the situation at the LAHA,” the group’s president said.​