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February 28, 2025
Obasa used this as a pretext to secure police protection, which was subsequently granted to him.
The impeached Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa misled Lagos Police Commissioner, Moshood Jimoh, by claiming his life was at risk to have police operatives assigned to him, SaharaReporters has learnt.
Obasa used this as a pretext to secure police protection, which was subsequently granted to him.
“He then used them to invade the House with ‘area boys’ (thugs),” a source privy to the request told SaharaReporters.
On Thursday, Obasa claimed that he is the legitimate leader of the state legislature, maintaining that he had resumed his position despite being removed from office earlier this year.
He made this declaration after arriving at the Assembly Complex with a heavy security presence, accompanied by police officers, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and thugs.
“I’ve resumed, and I remain the Speaker of the Assembly,” Obasa told journalists upon his arrival.
It marked his first return to the legislative chambers since his impeachment on January 13, 2025.
Obasa, escorted by more than 11 police officers, proceeded directly to the Speaker’s Office.
SaharaReporters reported on Thursday that Obasa’s invasion of the Assembly came after all security aides attached to Speaker Mojisola Meranda had been withdrawn, raising concerns about her safety amid an ongoing leadership crisis.
Sources revealed that Obasa went back on an agreement made during a resolution meeting chaired by former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande. “During the resolution of the crisis, the Akande-led team had obtained assurances that both Meranda and Obasa would resign to pave the way for a new speaker,” one of the sources said.
“Her resignation letter was given to Bisi Akande whilst Director General of DSS was to receive that of Obasa but no one is sure if he submitted his resignation.
“Instead Obasa plotted to bribe the judge but soon as it was revealed that the judge might have a hard time giving him exactly what he wanted, he suddenly changed his plans for a legal resolution and decided to invade the house instead on Thursday.”
On Thursday evening, Obasa claimed that Meranda agreed to resign during their "peace meeting" with party leaders in Lagos.
Obasa speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, claimed that he was not banking on President Bola Tinubu's support, as the president had more pressing matters to handle than the Lagos State House of Assembly crisis.
“The president has more than enough on his table to take care of than to be centred with the issue of Lagos State House of Assembly, and I will always respect him as my father and as my leader,” he said.
He also asserted his independence, stating, “Whether he supports me or not, I will continue to do what’s right without his approval.”
Addressing the controversy surrounding his position, Obasa insisted he had never been removed. “I have always said this that I have never been removed from office. I am not against any removal,” he stated, hours after making a dramatic return to the Assembly complex.
“If you are going to do that, you must follow the rules of the House. It is constitutional to impeach and remove. You have to follow the dictates of the Constitution,” he added.
Obasa said, “When my security was withdrawn without my consent, did I complain? At the meeting held in Marina, which saw the attendance of all party leaders, it was made clear, with hopes that all members were present, that Meranda herself declared her resignation. She made it known that she has stepped down.
"Now, when someone resigns from office, the associated paraphernalia is taken away. So, the question arises: Have you also resigned? Because we understand that part of the arrangement is for you to step down as well. Let them present the resignation letter. And if I were to resign, would I still be here? I’m sure you’d still address me as Speaker, even though we’ve never had a conversation before.”