Impeached speaker Obasa

Sadly, all the impeachments of speakers in the country comes with same reason of gross misconduct, financial recklessness and lack of loyalty to state governors, yet, history keep repeating itself, as lessons are not learned.

 By Mark Orgu, News/Comments

Indeed, power is transient, and only the self-cautious mind will understand and lead as if tomorrow would not come. This is the reality of life.

The rascal removal of a rascal and brave Lagos state former Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, replaced by his deputy, Hon. (Mrs) Mojisola Meranda, representing Apapa Constituency 1 may come as shock to many who does not know how Lagos politics is run. So, am not surprise that he got the new  year gift of impeachment, because he didn’t realize that in politics, loyalty is more preferable to competence.  It is unfortunate and end of road to his perceived ‘powerful’

It may interest you to know that, Obasa is one of the most experienced legislators in the sub sahara West Africa. Born on November 11, 1972. He graduated from the Lagos state University where he obtained his Bachelor’s degree in law (LL.B) and later enrolled at the Nigeria law School. At the age of 31, he contested and won election into the 5th Assembly of the State on the platform of the Alliance for Democracy to represent Agege constituency 1. Since that, he rose to prominence until his fall yesterday. Indeed, the glory of Obasa  politically has dimmed  dark like the biblical  lamentation of King David.

“The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: How are the mighty fallen! Tell it not in Gath, Publish it not in the streets of Askelon; Lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, Lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.”

I got to know Hon. Obasa when I joined other journalists to have media chat with him, when I was writing the biography of the very noble elder statesman and respected member of the  Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) of the state, Senator Anthony Adefuye.

Mark Orgu, and the former Speaker. This was after the interview with him on the book

He was very kind and even requested more than 20 copies of the book after it was publicly presented at the Senator’s 80th birthday last year’s August-now in the library of the state House of Assembly as some legislators  got it also. At this gesture, I expressed my gratitude to him for encouraging young intellectuals, who are not even Lagosians like me.

The book

Fortunately,  in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, the highest decision-making is the  (GAC), formed by President Bola Tinubu in his days as national leader of the party,
 consisting  major stakeholders of the party within the state overseeing the affairs of the party. It takes major decisions such as the mode of primaries, candidates of the party in elections and even the executives of the party. Also, the GAC comprises of  eminent former respected and selected politicians who have represented the state nationally or  within. They  play vital advisory role during political crises, and by extension, decide who becomes elected leaders in various capacity.

In fact, They are very powerful in their various constituency, deciding who becomes Senator, House of representative members,  State House of Assembly members, Local government chairmen, and even councilors. The political influence of this union can never be under estimated, never! The question then, is, what is democracy? The simple answer is, democracy is a mirage and shadow of itself in Nigeria. However, we must give it to Lagos state, because  the forming of GAC in the State have been able to regulate and dismantle any perceived individual who wants to become an Hitler or Emperor .

What are the sins of Obasa. He was alleged to have disrespected the governor severally, became an emperor among his colleagues in the House, nursed an ambition to be governor, wants to build an enclave of political dynamite within himself, high handedness, abuse of office, misconduct and financial recklessness. It was even alleged that he was warned from the presidency to be careful in his approach, but he didn’t listen.

Yes, Obasa has enjoyed political patronages for five times, 1999, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, and  2023 respectively, making him the longest serving legislator in the country, in fact, he has  nearly spent close to ten years as speaker.

This analysis is imperative for us to understand why Obasa was thrown out, as many political watchers says, he has crossed the red line, and nobody could save him again.

The impeachment of  Obasa yesterday  is not different from the removal of most speakers in the country who must have goofed with their state governors. Take for instance, when  the  former speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Chief Monday Igbuya in 2017, was impeached. His sins according to the House was based on  financial misappropriation, highhandedness, arrogant and disrespect to then  Governor Ifeanyi Okowa. He was shown the way out and replaced by a humble and gentle Elder Sheriff Oborevwori, who represented Okpe Constituency, now governor of the state. Then  Igbuya was impeached alongside his majority leader, Hon. Tim Owhofere.

In same 2017, 19 members of Edo state House of Assembly removed the speaker, Rt. Hon. Dr. Justin Okonoboh, following an  impeachment notice signed by 16 lawmakers  out of 24-member assembly, and elected  a former Chief Whip of the House, Hon. Kabiru Adjoto, who represented Akoko Edo constituency 1, as Speaker while Hon. Victor Edoror, from Edo Central  was elected Deputy Speaker. The lawmakers who carried out the impeachment accused the impeached speaker of awarding illegal contracts and abuse of office, and same high handedness.

Four years after, another political turmoil engulfed the same House again, as 17 lawmakers also impeached the then speaker, Hon. Francis Okiye, replacing him with Hon. Victor Edoror, in what some political commentators described as controversial situation, thus reflected the then political divide and rule application between the  former Governor Godwin Obaseki and his godfather, Senator Adam Oshiomhole.

In 2018, confusion set out at the Ondo state House of Assembly, as lawmakers engaged in a serious wrestlemania, exchanging hot blows over the impeachment of the state speaker, Rt. Hon. Bamidele Oloyelogun and the Deputy, Ogundeji Iroju, as 18 out of the 26 assembly members signed the impeachment notice while Hon. Olamide George from Akure North became speaker, as Hon. Abimbola Fajolu, elected Deputy from Ile Oluji/okeigbo constituency. In fact, theirs were more embarrassing as as lawmakers who were against the impeachment triggered violence resulting  to the tearing apart of  clothes of the impeached speaker and former female speaker Jumoke Akin. At that scenario, political thugs invaded the chamber, beat up lawmakers, journalists, and even workers within the premises. Then,  Nigerians were told that the speaker and his deputy were removed because of gross incompetent, and lack of respect for colleagues, including financial misconduct among other offences.

Sadly, all the impeachments of speakers in the country comes with same reason of gross misconduct, financial recklessness and lack of loyalty to state governors, yet, history keep repeating itself, as lessons are not learned.

 So, It is good to realize that the reality in life is , loyalty and humility will take anyone far, but arrogance, over zealous ambition and power intoxication will bring anyone down like an iroko tree.

Orgu, is public affairs analysts and social commentator, he is the editor, Afrikanwatch network, wrote from Lagos (08028592006)

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