The ninth Lagos Assembly on Friday grind to a halt with some melodrama signaling all is not well ahead of the forging tenth Assembly.
Prior to now the house has maintained a cordial relationship and perfect bonding between past lawmakers and the new, and often times when the valedictory plenary is to held, it is with much funfair and comradeship on display, members freely x-ray their experience of the four years gone bye but this is no longer allowed.
The Ninth Assembly Speaker Rt. Hon Mudashiru Obasa takes the shine off other members claiming lack of enough time for them to air their views, this is clearly unprecedented.
Also many of the key players in the previous Assembly were absent, further investigation revealed that the information came in a sudden manner, barely two hours to the time slated for the plenary.
A source that pleaded anonymity, told newsmen that, ” many of us got information quite late, imagine being informed of a plenary slated to hold today barely two hours to the time this morning.
“We were all preparing for our seminar holding in Ogun State for 9am today, when we got another information that the long overdue valedictory plenary holds.
“The Deputy Speaker now Senator-elect Rt.Hon Wasiu Eshinlokun- Sanni was not on ground, though Obasa said he got a notice he won’t be available, the Majority Leader Hon. Sanai Agunbiade a great lawmaker in charge of ensuring smooth legislative flow was not there, even the House ‘Barometer’ -Hon. Rotimi Abiru was clearly absent, likewise Hon. Moshood Oshun (MHR), former Deputy Majority Leader Hon Jimoh Wahab and seven others.”
Obasa who like a lord of the rings, tried to play a script that all is well, later faltered when he according to keen observers of the house polity denied giving a plague of meritorious service as given to others, to a fellow lawmaker Hon Abiodun Tobun who has openly declared readiness to jostle the Speakership position with him.
They are of the view that since the ninth Assembly has reached its climax what is left is deep politicking, at the end of which the best man in strategic move wins.
According to them Obasa clearly has the financial war chest but the party’s decision on who emerges Speaker at the end of the day will prevail.
If Obasa a sixth termer in the house emerges speaker again for the third time, he would have broken a jinx,as the only speaker to have held forte for three terms, an unprecedented feat.
To many who knew what transpired in house ever since sixth and seventh Assembly, the valedictory session was clearly a far outcry from the norm.
Worthy of note in the ninth Assembly is Obasa’s repressive and despotic mien to his fellow lawmakers as many who had the balls to take him on some perceived ills, get demoted,deprived and subjected much more humanly degrading kinds of treatments.
The various departments were not also spared as many statutory opportunities even trainings were denied on the ground of an entitled mien of supposed beneficiary.
Many of the affected yearn for a change in the commanding height of the state legislature.
Speaking at the plenary, Obasa reeled out the fact that the Lagos state House of Assembly have passed 46 Bills, 120 resolutions in the 9th Assembly.
It would be recalled that the 9th Assembly was inaugurated on June 7, 2019 and ended June 2, 2023.
Obasa, in his speech, said that the Bills cited had brought about remarkable legislative improvement and service delivery in Lagos State.
He added ” I am happy to say that this House prided for being above common standards of excellence has left no stone unturned in its collective resolve to sustaining good governance in Lagos State through robust legislative agenda despite the constraints imposed on it by COVID-19 pandemic era.
” Of note, I recall that on Friday, June 7, 2019, during my acceptance speech as the Speaker of the 9th Assembly, I announced my legislative agenda, which included promoting and strengthening legislative institutions from the State to the Local Government; establishing an Institute for Legislative Studies ; reviewing old laws in order to bring them up to date, particularly laws that establish agencies and parastatals that are no longer viable.
” As we close this chapter, I am proud to say that all mentioned above have been touched holistically.
“My pledged goal to build a legislative and research institute is on the right course following the passage of the bill for a law for the establishment of the Institute for Legislative Studies and Research in 2022.
” This institute, similar to the National Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies, will provide capacity building for members and staff of this noble House to discharge their duties of lawmaking and oversight seamlessly”.
Obasa thanked the lawmakers for their support, saying that their spirit of unity, collaboration, and determination to make Lagos a better place was inspiring.
He added ” As we close the 9th Assembly, let us remember that our work is not yet done.
” For those of us who are not returning, our successors will inherit the baton from us, and it is our duty to ensure a smooth transition and provide them with the necessary guidance and support.
“For the returning members, let us share our experiences and wisdom with the new colleagues so that we may continue and exceed the standards we have achieved.
” I am immensely proud of what we have achieved together during the 9th Assembly. We have built upon the foundation for a brighter future for Lagos State, and I have every confidence that the legacy we leave behind will endure.
“Let us cherish the memories we have created, the lessons we have learnt, and the friendships we have forged”
He, however, presented Award of Meritorious Service to 38 lawmakers of the 9th Assembly.