- pass vote of confidence on Speaker, as legislative forum solidarize
Piqued by the allege recurrent attempt to impeach the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly Rt. Hon Mudashiru Obasa, a sizeable number of the lawmakers have boldly aligned forces to fish out those they referred to as fanning the embers of discord in their midst, threatening to invoke suspension on the affected persons.
The lawmakers who unanimously passed a vote of confidence on the Speaker, Rt (Hon) Mudashiru Obasa afterwards, citing his leadership style as one worthy of emulation.
In a motion initiated by Hon. Rotimi Olowo who represents Shomolu Constituency 1, Obasa’s unmatched legacies and deep prowess of legislative leadership was celebrated, mirroring his unique style of piloting the affairs of the House.
Olowo also reminisced the proactiveness of the Speaker in addressing the EndSARS protesters at the late hours of Thursday despite his tight schedule, saying it was rare for a leader to do such at that period of time.
“I rise this afternoon to appreciate you and the Deputy Speaker for the prompt attention and response to the EndSARS protest . On Thursday, my son in Canada told me he saw you and the Deputy Speaker addressing the youths at midnight.
It shows that you are not just a leader but a brother whom blood runs in his vain. And we all know that the youths is the strength of this nation. There are youths who are doing negative things but we have many who are very hardworking. They have won many accolades and awards in and outside Nigeria. For you to have taken time to address the protesters, it shows you are more than a leader but a father and a builder”
“In addition, on Friday you called an emergency plenary to address the issue of the EndSARS protesters, it shows you are a father and a leader. Aside that, you have done things that make me to appreciate you. The preservation of Yoruba language and culture by introducing the speaking of Yoruba language during plenary session on Thursdays.
“Before I will move vote of confidence in you, I want to say this, that you should allow members to raise their voice and as well their hands and allow them to speak because the mischievous people have started again with intention to destroy your person.
“On Saturday, I read on the social media that 26 members of the Lagos state House of Assembly have begun to sign for your impeachment. I don’t know the 26 the report was talking about because I know that you have the majority in this House. And I also know that we are more than 26 who are your followers in this House because you are a great man.
“We should know the 26 members that have signed for your impeachment today. So, I want to urge you, Mr Speaker to allow the members to talk and eulogise you because you are doing well”, said Olowo.
In his comments, the lawmaker representing Surulere 1, Hon Desmond Elliot, said the issue of lawmakers signing impeachment notice against the speaker was becoming too much, saying that the leadership should invoke the house rules that provides for suspension of erring members.
Also, Hon. Fatai Oluwa ( Ajeromi Ifelodun 2) while clarifying that he was part of the lawmakers who travelled to Turkey, alleged Hon. Wahab Jimoh ( Apapa 2) of divulging the information of the House to the media.
He added ” I was part of the lawmakers who travelled to Instabul in Turkey but to my surprise in the report I read online, Hon. Wahab Jimoh’s name was not mentioned as part of beneficiaries.
This shows that he was the one who was divulging information about this House to the media”.
The lawmaker representing Ifako/Ijaiye 1, Hon. Temitope Adewale, assured the speaker of his loyalty, saying that before he was elected, he had known the House to be a peaceful Assembly.
Adewale accused Hon. Wahab Jimoh of divulging classified information of the House to the media, saying that he listened recently to a voice note where the alleged lawmaker told some people to search for Houses owned by the Speaker abroad.
Also, Hon. Olusola Sokunle ( Oshodi-Isolo 1) said his loyalty to the Speaker remains unshakable, saying that those fingered in the act of divulging authorized information of the House to the media should be suspended.
“My loyalty to Speaker Obasa is unshakable. I don’t know why some people would be after pulling Mr Speaker down at all cost. We want the Majority Leader to speak out and make it clear where he belongs if he is for the majority or the minority. We have information at our disposal that Hon. Wahab Jimoh is searching around for Obasa’s properties in United States. If any information comes out on the media about your properties, I suggest that Hon. Wahab Jimoh should be suspended indefinitely. If it is war, let it be war, we are the one in charge of this House. We should also investigate my dear brother, Hon. Moshood Oshun, if he is part of it. When we have peace we will call them back”, said Sokunle.
Hon. Lukman Olumoh ( Ajeromi/Ifelodun 1) said ” I don’t know why some members will want to bring he Speaker down at all cost despite his wonderful contributions to the growth and development of State parliament in Nigeria and Lagos in particular. I want to assure Mr Speaker that I remain loyal to him and will stand with him till the end”.
Hon. Victor Akande ( Ojo 2), in his comments, described Obasa as a listening leader who accommodates members’ views on issues, saying that the Speaker was instrumental to his re-election.
“I will want the Majority Leader to speak out on where he belongs in this House. We are majority in this House and he is our majority leader. The minority cannot rule over the majority”, said Akande.
While responding, the Majority Leader, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, said he was embarrassed by the comments of those asking him to state where he belongs, saying that with the vote of confidence passed on the Speaker, those behind the purported impeachment plan have been disgraced.
“This is laughable, I wonder why we are dissipating so much energy discussing it.
“I know full well that impeachment of the Speaker cannot be done on social media and it takes a process.
“I find it very embarrassing for your calls that where do you belong, we should desist the act of chastising ourselves because we want to be close to the Speaker.” Agunbiade said.
One of the alleged members, Hon. Moshood Oshun counseled the House not to accord such news report unnecassary regard, adding that he never signed any list.
“Let’s ignore,if we attack every news in the Newspapers it is not ideal. I was not in any meeting,nor sign any list.
I think it is high time we got together. We need be one. Mr Speaker please avoid people telling you something about others, it is high time we start naming and shaming.” Oshun said.
All lawmakers in attendance took turn to appreciate the legislative acumen and leadership of Speaker Obasa.
Close to the end of the days plenary members of the Eko Legislators Forum,a group of nine former lawmakers led by Hon.Ahmed Ipoola Omisoore came to solidarize with the House of Assembly,in reaction to the various news reports churned out in recent times.
“We at the Legislative Forum,the forum of all former Honourable members starting from the 1st Assembly till date, we are here today in solidarity with the House.
“We know all the rumblings going on and we as elder statesmen are here today to stand by the house and to tell them that we are with them and that there should be no storm. There have been stability in the house since 1st Assembly and we want it to continue that way and we are glad today that all is calm.
“In any meeting the conclusion is what matters at the end of the day, today we saw a united house, we saw them even passing a vote of confidence on the Speaker.
“We saw them even singing like young children in unison giving the Speaker support and that’s all we want. Stability of the house, it is stable we want it to continue to be stable and today we are glad that with our presence, we are going home very happy that the house is left solid and we hope the peace will continue.
However, the Speaker of the House, Rt (Hon) Mudashiru Obasa, said his position as a speaker of the House does not stops him from owning properties as long as the properties are not linked to missing fund of the House.
“I don’t entertain any fear concerning the media reports. My becoming the Speaker was through the Almighty Allah. This House of Assembly is One and will remain one forever. The House is not divided”, said Obasa.
Obasa said that the media report that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has uncovered 40 duplexes and other properties linked to him was the handiwork of his political detractors.
“They have taken me to EFCC, I have been invited, I have honoured their invitation and the invitation still continues , nothing but desperation to get me out. They started with official matters of the Assembly, they have now gone into my personal life. They said I have property opposite LASPOTECH in Ikorodu, now the question is, does being a speaker stops me from having my personal properties? I think the question should be is there any issue with the finances of the house?
“So, i just want to urge us to continue to work together in the interest of our people, those who are chasing shadow will get tired.
“They said I have 57 houses in Agege. They are shameless, they are not talking of Ikoyi, they are not talking of Lekki, I have houses in Agege, they brought out the list, almost every street in Agege, I just hope they will not go and seize somebody else house thinking I own it.
” All that have been going on since March is just to get me out of the seat, it is pure politics and I hope EFCC will not allow itself to be dragged into this politics”, said the Speaker.