Gboyega Akosile, spokesperson for Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, says his principal had no hand in the impeachment of Mudashiru Obasa as speaker of the state’s assembly.
Obasa, who was serving his third term as speaker, was removed from his position on January 13 over allegations bordering on gross misconduct and abuse of office.
The 52-year-old lawmaker, who represents Agege state constituency I, became speaker of the Lagos state house of assembly in 2015.
Obasa and Sanwo-Olu’s relationship reportedly turned frosty after the assembly rejected 17 of the governor’s 39 commissioner nominees in October 2023.
At the time, Obasa denied any rift with the governor. However, both men subsequently held a “fence-mending” meeting with the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), the highest decision-making body of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos.
Speaking about Sanwo-Olu’s alleged involvement in Obasa’s impeachment, Akosile said the governor believes strongly in the separation of powers and does not meddle in political skirmishes.
“The Governor is a democrat, a complete gentleman who doesn’t meddle in people’s affairs. I can’t remember him talking about any of the incidents that you mentioned. Nothing of such bothers him,” Akosile told TheCable.
“Mr Sanwo-Olu’s interest and focus is how to develop the state further than he met it.
“This has been his major preoccupation since he assumed office as the governor of Lagos state and not to get himself involved in unproductive political skirmishes.
“Governor Sanwo-Olu believes strongly in the separation of powers. The action of the House was purely a legislative matter.”
On Monday, the Lagos lawmakers elected Mojisola Meranda, who was Obasa’s deputy, as the new speaker of the assembly.
The Cable
