By Kingston Magare
Members of the Lagos House of Assembly Monday re-elected Madashiru Obasa as Speaker after eight weeks of drama.
Obasa who represents the Agege Constituency I, was impeached by 36 members of the House in January and deputy Speaker Mojisola Meranda elevated, but on Monday she stepped down back to her former position as she and her backers seem to have eaten their words about not having Obasa lead them.
In February Obasa reported to be enjoying the support of President Bola Tinubu and his wife Oluremi Tinubu forced his way back into the chambers with the full backing of armed security agents. He told reporters that he back to claim his seat, even as the 36 lawmakers who impeached him insisted, they were tired of his near tyrannical sit-tight rule. He was first elected as speaker in 2007.
The wall of resistance to Obasa’s reign by the Lawmakers begin to crumble after the Lagos All Progressive Congress Governance- Advisory Council (GAC) backed Obasa in the struggle for power. On Sunday they held an all-day meeting with the aggrieved 36 lawmakers to placate them.
On Monday they offered no resistance as Obasa strode into back into his job.
“I thank Meranda who has been supportive and loyal as Deputy Speaker,” Obasa said after he took hold of the gavel.
“I also thank all the lawmakers for their loyalty.
“Today is not the day for speech making. It is a day to celebrate my colleagues and thank them for all they’ve been doing.
“I want to thank our elders, Bisi Akande, Olusegun Osoba, GAC members, Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Obafemi Hamzat and other party leaders for their support.
“Our major responsibility is to represent Lagosians. This house is a house of integrity.”
