•Meranda and Obasa
Mudashiru Obasa has claimed that Mojisola Meranda agreed to resign as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly during a peace meeting.
Meranda replaced Obasa as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly in January.
While the former had rejected his removal, he said during a peace meeting by leaders in Lagos State, Meranda agreed to step down as the speaker.
“There was a meeting that took place in Marina where we had in attendance all the party leaders and all the members [of Lagos Assembly] and openly Meranda herself made a statement that she has stepped down and she has resigned,” Obasa said last night on Channels TV.
He was responding to the withdrawal of Meranda’s security aides by police authorities in Lagos. Obasa said since she had agreed to resign, it was right for her security details to be withdrawn.
“So, when you resign from an office, you know, the paraphernalia of office will be taken away now,” Obasa who represents Agege 1 Constituency said.
But yesterday evening, the police said Meranda’s security aides have been restored and cited a personnel audit as a reason for the withdrawal.
‘Obasa is Speaker’?
Obasa was removed in January after he was accused of financial fraud and other charges. But he has denied any wrongdoing and yesterday visited the Lagos House of Assembly complex for the first time since his impeachment.
Accompanied by security operatives and some supporters, the lawmaker said he was in the complex to resume duty as the speaker.
“I’ve never been removed. Impeachment or removal is democratic and constitutional but in doing that, you must follow the due process. I am not against that. If I do that, then I am not democratic,” he said while briefing the press.
“Obasa is speaker,” he insisted.
Meranda’s Backing
But some thirty-six lawmakers of the Lagos State Assembly passed a vote of confidence on Meranda thereafter.
