Chief Muraina Taiwo of APC criticises the removal of Lagos Speaker Obasa, calling it illegal and urging President Tinubu to resolve the matter

[dropcap]C[/dropcap]hief Muraina Taiwo, a prominent member of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos, has criticised the process leading to the removal of Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

Also read: Lagos Assembly votes out Speaker Mudashiru Obasa; Deputy Speaker takes over

The removal, which took place on January 13, 2025, was initiated by a majority of the lawmakers over allegations of misconduct, abuse of office, and financial mismanagement.

Obasa, representing Agege Constituency 1, was in the United States at the time of the vote and returned to Lagos on Saturday, where he denied the allegations and voiced his displeasure with the removal.

In a statement titled ‘My Take on the Ongoing Imbroglio at the Lagos State House of Assembly,’ Taiwo called Obasa’s ousting “illegal” and said it showed “disrespect for leadership.”

He argued that the process had caused division within the GAC, the APC’s leadership body in Lagos, and called for President Bola Tinubu to intervene and resolve the matter.

Taiwo’s remarks followed similar comments from Senator Anthony Adefuye, another GAC member, who agreed with Obasa’s assertion that the process of his removal was flawed.

The controversy surrounding the removal has led to a polarised response from APC members, with some siding with Obasa and others backing his replacement, Mojisola Meranda.

Despite the conflict, the Lagos State House of Assembly has indicated that Obasa may still resume his position before further action is taken.

Olukayode Ogundipe, the Assembly’s spokesperson, dismissed rumours of a “fake mace” being used in the removal, stressing that the mace was in the custody of the sergeants at arms and that the correct procedures had been followed.

Also read: Obasa debunks governorship ambition amidst 2025 budget presentation

Obasa himself has called for the proper legal procedure to be followed if he is to be removed, stating that if the correct process is followed, he would not contest the decision.