Fouad Oki, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has described the impeachment of Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly as a necessary step to hold him accountable for his actions.
Oki made the statement during an appearance on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television, following Obasa’s removal from office on Monday.
Obasa was impeached earlier in the day over allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of office. The 52-year-old lawmaker, who represents Agege State Constituency I, had served as Speaker since 2015 and was in his third term in the role. Following his impeachment, Mojisola Meranda, the deputy speaker, was elected as the new Speaker of the House.
According to Oki, the signs of Obasa’s removal were apparent to those familiar with Lagos politics. He criticised Obasa for allegedly adopting an authoritarian leadership style, describing him as behaving like an “emperor.”
“He saw himself as an emperor,” Oki said. “It became very obvious that there was a need for a change in the leadership of the parliament in Lagos. If you cast your mind back, you must have seen this coming in the last 18 months.”
Oki highlighted a series of incidents that suggested Obasa’s leadership was becoming untenable. He referenced events surrounding the governor’s presentation of the 2025 appropriation bill, where Obasa allegedly kept key officials waiting for hours without explanation.
“Not only was the governor kept waiting for over four hours, but the leadership of the party and all invited dignitaries were also kept waiting with no apologies or excuses. When he eventually arrived, there were no courtesies extended to anyone,” Oki recounted. “It was an event designed to assert that he was the ‘emperor.’ Such an irresponsible attitude required correction.”
Oki further explained that Obasa’s impeachment was in line with the political interests of President Bola Tinubu, emphasising the need to maintain Lagos as a cornerstone of Tinubu’s political influence.
“Before the president came home, this issue had been lingering. The Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) brought the matter to his attention, and as a leader, he tried to make sense of the concerns raised by the party elders,” Oki said. “However, the president himself saw a recalcitrant attitude. I think that was the final straw.”
Obasa’s impeachment marks a significant shift in Lagos politics, with observers noting the move as a signal of the ruling party’s resolve to ensure accountability within its ranks.
