Lagos Assembly tussle: Obasa backtrack, jettison resignation agreement, begin moves to remain as speaker

 

 

Ayodele Olalere

 

There are indications that the reinstated speaker of the Lagos House of Assembly, Mudasiru Obasa may have jettisoned the resignation agreement reached with his warring colleagues and other party leaders as one of the requisites to solve the crisis rocking the House.

It is recalled the Bisi Akande and Segun Osoba led reconciliation committee had recommended that the former Speaker, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda should step down as speaker to pave way for Obasa to be reinstated as speaker after which he also would resign and a new speaker be appointed.

At another reconciliation meeting held on Sunday, March 2 in Marina, a reliable source who was at the meeting said the same agreement was reached by the parties involved.

Following the outcome of the meeting, Meranda on Monday March 3 resigned as the speaker after which Obasa was reinstated as the speaker a few minutes later.

However, signs that the agreement may have hit the rock emerged after Obasa, on reclaiming his seat, adjourned plenary indefinitely.

On Tuesday, reports emerged that the reinstated speaker has begun moves to ensure he does not resign and continue as speaker.

He held a peace parley to reconcile with his aggrieved 36 colleagues who impeached him and promised them he would withdraw the lawsuit he filed against them after his previous removal.

Sources also revealed he has also been seeking the favour of the governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and apologizing to him for his unruly behaviours towards him before his removal.

His moves to remain as speaker as against the earlier agreement also followed the insistence of his colleagues that he follows the agreement to the latter.

Though his aggrieved colleagues are yet back down on their demands as well as agreeing to his terms of reconciliation, they have directed him to reconvene the House tomorrow, Thursday.

Obasa was removed as speaker by 36 lawmakers on January 13 while he was away in the United States of America. He was accused of corruption to the tune of N40billion, brutality and lack of respect for his colleagues.

After his removal and return to the country, Obasa insisted he remained the Speaker and vowed to reclaim his seat.

Few days before he was reinstated, Obasa invaded the Assembly escorted by armed security men and broke into the office of the new speaker. He also broke into the chamber and held a plenary with four lawmakers loyal to him.

His invasion of the House occurred after the security details of the then Speaker, Meranda and those guiding the assembly complex were withdrawn by the police.