A member of the Lagos State Governance Advisory Council (GAC), Anthony Adefuye, has expressed support for the embattled former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa.
OsunDailyNG reports that Obasa, speaking for the first time on Saturday since his impeachment, faulted his removal by lawmakers.
Obasa was removed by 32 of 40 lawmakers on January 13 following allegations of misconduct and financial misappropriation.
He was subsequently replaced by a former deputy speaker, Mojisola Meranda.
Obasa, who was in the United States of America when he was removed, spoke to a huge crowd of supporters at the Speaker’s Lodge, 47, GRA Ikeja, Lagos.
The former Speaker denied the allegations of corruption levelled against him by the lawmakers.
He said: “I believe in removal. There is no impeachment in the Assembly. Probably, there is a mistake from them; you can only remove the speaker. And before you remove, you must ensure you follow the rules of the constitution. I’m not afraid to be removed, what else am I looking for?”
Reacting to Obasa’s claims, Adefuye, who spoke to Sunday PUNCH on the phone, said, “What he’s saying is that he was illegally removed and the procedure was faulty and I agree with him.”
But the GAC Chairman, Tajudeen Olusi, while declining response, pointed out that it was his obligation to ensure the party functioned effectively in the state.
He said, “I think we should address issues squarely. Obasa said his removal was illegal. If that statement is correct, I don’t think you have to come to me. Illegality has to do with the law. I’m not a lawyer. It doesn’t clearly concern me.
“The man quoted should be asked what aspect of the law it is. I’m an elderly citizen of this country and particularly Lagos State. My responsibility is to ensure peace, harmony and cooperation of my party.”
The Publicity Secretary of the APC in the state, Seye Oladejo, said the party will not interfere with the internal affairs of the House.
“The election of the leadership of the House remains strictly an internal affair. The party is not part of it, and we have no intention to (interfere),” Oladejo stated.
