In a dramatic turn of events, the Lagos State House of Assembly has impeached its Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, over multiple allegations of fraud. The impeachment, which occurred during a plenary session on Monday, marked the end of Obasa’s long tenure as the leader of the state legislature.

The lawmakers also suspended the Clerk of the House, Mr. Olalekan Onafeko, indefinitely. Meanwhile, the Chief Whip, Mr. Mojeed Fatai, was elected as the new Deputy Speaker, while the Deputy Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, was sworn in as the new Speaker.

Although details surrounding Obasa’s removal remain unclear, lawmakers have unanimously defended their decision as necessary for the integrity and progress of the Assembly.

Addressing the impeachment, Abiodun Tobun, a lawmaker representing Epe Constituency 1, stated, “It is only death that is constant, so change is inevitable. Members of the parliament today have decided to change the leadership of the House. The Constitution makes it clear that the House has the power to regulate its proceedings.”

Tobun further emphasized the collective decision of the House, saying, “We unanimously agreed that Hon. Mojisola Meranda would become the new Speaker and Hon. Fatai Adebola would be the Deputy Speaker. It was a resolution concurred by all members of the parliament. We owe our constituencies and Lagos State the duty of restoring the sanity and integrity of this House. That is why we have taken this action—to save our image and our state.”

However, Tobun did not provide specific details about the allegations that led to Obasa’s impeachment.

The impeachment comes amid mounting controversies surrounding Obasa, including accusations of financial mismanagement. Recently, a group called the Lagos State Anti-Corruption Coalition alleged that the Assembly had spent ₦17 billion on constructing a gate. The group also claimed ₦200 million was spent on a Thanksgiving service.

Obasa had dismissed these allegations as baseless, describing them as politically motivated. “How much is the allocation of the Assembly in a whole year for anyone to claim we spent ₦17 billion on a gate? This House has not embarked on any such project. We are not reckless,” he said during a plenary session.

Obasa, a sixth-term lawmaker representing Agege Constituency I under the All Progressives Congress (APC), has faced several allegations of financial impropriety during his tenure as Speaker.

The impeachment has triggered significant changes within the Lagos State House of Assembly. Tobun revealed that all principal positions and standing committees have been dissolved as the lawmakers seek to reposition the Assembly for better governance.

“We cannot sit back and watch the parliament fall into ruin. We have resolved to work together to move the parliament to the next level,” Tobun said.