Impeachment: Any hope for Obasa?

KEHINDE OSASONA reports that as political gladiators continue to scramble for the soul of Lagos, the impeachment of Mudashiru Obasa a few days ago has added a new twist to the whole scenario. Considering President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s intervention and the strategic importance of the speaker’s constituency in Lagos politics, can he navigate his way back?

The ‘coup’

It is no longer news that Mudashiru Obasa was recently impeached in controversial circumstances while he was out of the country. Obasa, the embattled speaker, representing Agege, who is said to be a core loyalist of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was caught in the web when the lawmakers ganged up and relieved him of his position unceremoniously.

Among other offences,  33 out of the 40 lawmakers that make up the House listed perpetual lateness to legislative sections and meetings, highhandedness and inciting members against each other as some of the ‘sins’ over which Obasa was impeached as  the speaker of the state assembly. They also mentioned that Obasa practises an authoritarian and undemocratic leadership style in discharging his duties.

He was immediately replaced with his erstwhile deputy, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, representing Apapa 1. His impeachment followed a motion moved under the Matter of Urgent Public Importance by Femi Saheed.

Saheed, in line with provision of Section 92(2) (C) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, accused Obasa of gross misconduct and poor leadership, which included perpetual lateness to legislative sessions and meetings; highhandedness and lack of regard of members; gross abuse of office and privileges; intimidation and oppression of members by inciting them against one another, amongst others.

Back home, the displaced lawmaker while meeting with his supporters and associates-alike faulted the manner of his removal, saying that a fake mace was used at the sitting where the action took place.

He also alleged other improprieties and undemocratic actions, including alleged deployment of police officers led by the Commissioner of Police in the state to the Assembly for the purpose of his removal.

“But why did they have to break the chamber and use a fake mace to carry out the removal? If they say they don’t want me anymore, it is fine, but let them follow due procedure.

 “I believe I am still the speaker until the right thing has been done. If you want to remove me, remove me the proper way and I will not contest it.

“My status in the House is that I strongly believe I remain the Speaker of the Assembly until the right procedure for my removal is followed,” he was quoted as telling his supporters.

The remote cause, unseen hands and the ‘Greek gift’

According to reports, the untouchable and influential Obasa was always at loggerheads with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, a development that had made elders in the party, including the president, to wade-in in the past.

However, many are of the view that in an apparent show of power, Obasa, who had disrespected the governor and his deputy many times before, might have been consumed by his unresolved executive-legislative face-off with the governor, especially at critical period when state matters needed urgent attention.

But it is still unconfirmed and another ball game altogether if Sanwo-Olu could muster such courage to incite or had a hand in the impeachment after the president’s intervention.

Another school of thought is laying the blame at the door step of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and party leaders, saying they are up to something and that the embattled speaker might have incurred their wrath along the line.

This was coming about the same time that some political analysts attributed Obasa’s present travail to issues bordering on governorship ambition, among other interests.

Findings revealed that as a way of placating the disgraced number one lawmaker, GAC has offered him a senatorial ticket in the 2027 election. GAC by that may have foreclosed the possibility of allowing Obasa to return to the seat, thinking that returning him as the speaker is going to further divide the party in the state.

Information also filtered out that not all GAC members were disposed to the treatment meted out at Obasa. Senator Anthony Adefuye, a member of the think-tank a few days ago insisted that the lawmaker was illegally removed and the procedure was faulty.

Adefuye noted that the incident has polarised GAC, saying that President Bola Tinubu has the final say on the matter.

“The act of the lawmakers is illegal. It shows total disregard and clear disrespect for Leadership.

“The GAC Leadership is split over the matter but we will all defer to our de facto leader, the President of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to resolve the crisis.’’

Speaking with this medium, a chieftain of the APC in Alimosho who does not want his name in print said the action against the lawmaker was justifiable, saying his cup was full and that with this, he is dead politically.

‘’There is time for everything. I think rather than fight it, Obasa should just grab the next opportunity and move on. If he decided to rock the party boat, then he would be digging his political grave. Despite the fact that he is from my senatorial district, I won’t go with him. I am progressive. But he should also know that the senate seat gift could also be a ‘Greek gift’, ’’ he said.

President’s intervention

But in all of these, the good news has been that President Bola Tinubu has waded in, reached out to warring parties and has calmed frayed nerves.

But far from that, Tinubu, it was learnt, is not taking any chances, and findings by this reporter revealed that he is currently brokering peace on all fronts; a move that pundits are already attributing to the strategic importance of Obasa in the political equation, his constituency and 2027 elections. The party, Blueprint Weekend, gathered further wants to avoid a repeat of what befell it in the 2023 presidential election and the treatment meted out to Obasa if not reversed might affect all their arrangements on ground.

Report has it that after the exit of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Senator Idiat Aderanti Adebule, who is now in Abuja, the Lagos West senatorial district needed strength and political clout of someone like Obasa and others to maintain a winning streak and any attempt to whittle down the former speaker’s power and influence might boomerang for Lagos