A group, under the aegis of Assembly of Lagos Youths, on Sunday urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to respect the voice of Lagos indigenes and refrain from any interference that would lead to the return of former Speaker Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa to office, thereby undermining their will.
This was just as the group equally demanded continued support for the new Speaker, Rt. Hon. Maranda, and strong opposition to any attempt to impose Obasa on the House against the will of its members.
The group made these demands in a release issued by its Coordinator, Lasisi Robert, a copy of which was made available to newsmen, against the backdrop of reports circulating in the media suggesting that the sacked Speaker Obasa may be reinstated into office, saying doing so would amount to blatant disregard for due process and the will of Lagosians.
According to the Lagos youths, forcing Obasa back as speaker would undermine the credibility of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), the highest decision-making organ in the state chapter of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Besides, the youth group also said such an action would expose the GAC members as opportunists willing to reverse their stance to serve personal interests, insisting that Obasa was lawfully removed on January 13, 2025, by 32 out of 39 honourable members of the House, following allegations of gross misconduct.
The group noted that for Lagos indigenes, Obasa’s removal also marked a crucial step toward bridging the long-standing divide between indigenes and non-indigenes in the state’s governance, saying that prominent traditional rulers in the state “and key figures within the GAC, including Pa Tajudeen Olusi, publicly endorsed this decision as a progressive move.”
“If the rumoured reinstatement of Obasa as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly becomes a reality, it would suggest that Lagos indigenes within the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) have compromised their stance.
“Obasa was lawfully removed on January 13, 2025, by 32 out of 39 honourable members of the House, following allegations of gross misconduct. His removal was widely celebrated by well-meaning Lagosians who had grown weary of his power-drunk tendencies and hostility toward perceived opponents.
“For Lagos indigenes, his removal also marked a crucial step toward bridging the long-standing divide between indigenes and non-indigenes in the state’s governance. Prominent traditional rulers and key figures within the GAC, including Pa Tajudeen Olusi, publicly endorsed this decision as a progressive move.
“However, recent media reports suggesting that Obasa may be reinstated—despite his removal being backed by the House—indicate a blatant disregard for due process and the will of Lagosians. His return would not only undermine the credibility of the GAC but also expose its members as opportunists willing to reverse their stance to serve personal interests.
“We, therefore, demand continued support for Rt. Hon. Maranda and strong opposition to any attempt to impose Obasa on the House against the will of its members.
“Furthermore, we urge the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to respect the voice of Lagos indigenes and refrain from any interference that would undermine their will by forcing Obasa’s return,” the youths stated.
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