I can’t force lawmakers to attend, Obasa defends session with four members

The ousted Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa has defended his decision to preside over a plenary session with only four lawmakers in attendance, insisting that he cannot force members to participate.

Obasa, speaking on TVC while addressing concerns over the session’s legitimacy, said, “I can’t force people to attend plenary.

 “How many of them were present? If they say four, the most important thing is that we held the session.”

The Assembly, which comprises 40 members, saw a majority of lawmakers absent from the plenary on Thursday, despite being present at the complex.

Obasa, however, maintained that he remains the Speaker of the Assembly. “I’m the Speaker, I remain the Speaker of the Lagos Assembly.

“When I became the Speaker, all my colleagues supported me,” he said.

Questioning the process that led to Mojisola Meranda’s emergence as Speaker, he asked, “How was Mojisola Meranda elected as Speaker? By breaking into the chambers?”

He reiterated that any attempt to remove him must comply with constitutional provisions.

“I want to believe that we are law-abiding. I’m not against removal, as they call it impeachment, but if you’re going to remove somebody, you must comply with the constitution,” he stated.

Also Read

• Auxiliary: Court admits arms found in Lamidi’s hotel as evidence
• I can’t force lawmakers to attend, Obasa defends session with four members
• We’ve restored Meranda’s security detail, initial withdrawal for audit, says Lagos CP
• Shettima to attend burial of Namibia’s founding President, Nujoma
• FCCPC asks MultiChoice to suspend price hike pending investigation

On the impact of the crisis on the All Progressives Congress in Lagos, Obasa dismissed speculations of division within the party.

“The APC is one family in Lagos, under the same roof. Our party is not divided under the chairmanship of Cornelius Ojelabi and under our leaders in the GAC,” he asserted.

He further downplayed any suggestions that the ongoing rift was linked to the 2027 governorship race.

“This issue has nothing to do with governorship ambition. Sanwo-Olu is doing well; no reasonable person should be thinking of governorship now. Sanwo-Olu has two more years,” he concluded.

Despite his insistence on legitimacy, the crisis within the Assembly continues to raise concerns over political stability in the state.