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Critics Slam Obasa’s Defiance as Legal Experts Validate His Removal

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Critics Slam Obasa’s Defiance as Legal Experts Validate His Removal

Critics Slam Obasa’s Defiance as Legal Experts Validate His Removal

The removal of Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly has ignited a wave of reactions, with critics highlighting his controversial tenure and alleged misconduct.

 

Obasa, who addressed his supporters at the Speaker’s Lodge in Ikeja on Saturday, dismissed the process of his removal as unconstitutional, insisting that he remains the Speaker until “the right thing is done.” However, legal experts, political analysts, and concerned Lagosians have refuted his claims, asserting that his removal was both valid and inevitable.

Critics Slam Obasa’s Defiance as Legal Experts Validate His Removal

Obasa argued that the lawmakers did not follow due process, citing his absence from the House on the day of his removal. However, legal experts have debunked this claims, emphasizing that the Nigerian Constitution does not require a Speaker to be present during their removal.

A legal practitioner stated, “According to Section 92(2)(c) of the 1999 Constitution, the Speaker can be removed by a resolution supported by the votes of not less that two-thirds majority of the members of the House. Obasa’s removal followed this process, and his argument is baseless.”

The expert further clarified that past removal of a former Speaker of the Lagos Assembly leaders, Rt. Hon. Jokotola Pelumi who was succeeded by Rt. Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, also occurred in his absence, making Obasa’s claims of irregularity unfounded.

Regarding Obasa’s claim that the House erred as a Speaker cannot be impeached but only removed, the expert, after reviewing the motion for Obasa’s removal, disputed the former Speaker’s claim that he was impeached. According to him, Obasa was “removed,” not impeached, as clearly stated in the house resolution.

Furthermore, the expert emphasized that the law supports his removal, regardless of whether he was present or absent during the proceedings. That the House has the liberty to change its leadership as it so desires at anytime as long as the conditions stated by the constitution are adhered to, reminding everyone that the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is the grundnorm.

Political analysts and commentators have described Obasa’s removal as a turning point for the Lagos Assembly. Joseph Edgar, a prominent public affairs analyst, stated that Obasa’s defiant remarks undermine the integrity of the legislative arm of government.

“Obasa’s braggadocious response shows a lack of accountability. For someone with such serious allegations against him, his focus should be on clearing his name, not stirring unnecessary controversy,” Edgar said.

Political observers have highlighted the irony of Obasa’s situation. Many recall his role in the removal of previous leaders, describing his current predicament as “karma.”

Obasa’s removal is the inevitable consequence of his actions. His stance against local government autonomy and his insubordination towards leadership in the state made his position untenable.

Banire also pointed out that Obasa’s removal marks the end of his political influence, as his power was tied to his position as Speaker. “In politics, people worship power and money. Once he lost the office, his influence crumbled,” he added.

As the dust settles, the focus has shifted to holding Obasa accountable for the allegations against him. Legal experts and concerned citizens have called for thorough investigations into his tenure to restore public trust in the Lagos Assembly.

While Obasa ‘strongly believes’ he remains Speaker and hints at a possible legal battle, analysts believe his removal signals a need for the APC-led government to prioritize competence and accountability in electing legislative representatives to prevent similar controversies in the future.

For now, Lagosians await Obasa’s next move, but his valid removal is a reminder that power is transcient.

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Bill For Research Trust Fund Scales Second Reading At Lagos Assembly

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Bill For Research Trust Fund Scales Second Reading At Lagos Assembly

Bill For Research Trust Fund Scales Second Reading At Lagos Assembly

 

The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Princess Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, has committed a bill to establish the State’s research trust fund to a sub-committee of the House.

 

Meranda also emphasised the need for tertiary institutions in the state to partake in effective research works for the benefit of the state.

This was as the bill, sponsored by a member of the House, Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu, scaled second reading on the floor of the House.

The proposed law is aimed at creating a ‘state research trust fund for the allocation, management and administration of the trust fund and for connected purposes’.

Supporting the bill, lawmakers praised the sponsor and noted that it would help advance the state.

Yishawu told his colleagues that the bill was important as it would help drive innovation, economic growth, and technological advancement in the state.

According to him, Lagos, as Nigeria’s economic hub, cannot afford to lag in scientific and technological development.

He argued that a well-structured research and development funding system would enhance governance, stimulate industrialisation, and position the state as a leader in innovation.

He also stressed that the bill, when passed, would touch every facet of Lagos.

Dissecting the bill, some of the lawmakers raised concerns over taxation but agreed that the bill was important.

Hon. Noheem Adams stressed that funding would help to provide a veritable opportunity for researchers to come up with results that help societies.

According to him, when Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone, “it would have been difficult to visualize that a day would come when we will all have a handset in our pockets.”

The ad-hoc committee is expected to fine-tune the bill ahead of further processes leading to its passage.

Signed:
Media Office Of The Rt. Hon. Speaker

Bill For Research Trust Fund Scales Second Reading At Lagos Assembly

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Crisis Looms in APC ….As Elected National Deputies demands for equity, justice and sense of belonging…

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Crisis Looms in APC

….As Elected National Deputies demands for equity, justice and sense of belonging…

 

All seems not to be well in the ruling party, Apc at the National level due to alleged injustice melted out to some elected National deputies of the Party.

Recently some NWC and NEC members were offered appiontment in some Parastals, to the utmost suprise of everybody some of the elected Deputies were left out.

According to a reliable source, this injustice has been on going since they were elected, they were not giving housing or car allowances like thier colleagues, Most Affected are the following

-Deputy National Legal adviser
-Deputy National Youth Leader
-Deputy National Treasurer
-Deputy National Auditor
-Deputy National Welfare officer are not also members of the NWC,
while some National Deputies are members.

The following elected National Officers were also left out in the last appointments announced.
The National Ex-Officio South-West
National Ex-Officio South+South
National Ex-Officio North-Central
National Ex-Officio South-East
National Ex-Officio North- West
National Ex-Officio North East

Worst of it all happened During the last Christmas and new year celebrations,were NWC members shared 20 bags each to themselves without even giving the Non NWC National Officers any. They weren’t given other items that were shared like their colleagues got. They see it as greed on the part of their colleagues in NWC.
They also did not benefit from the Housing and vehicle allowances their fellow colleagues in NWC gave themselves.

If not for the respect they have for Mr president by now they would have Been protests,.

A reliable source informed us that the Non NWC Deputies together with the Ex officio are planning for a Show-down next week if their demands are not met promptly.

They claim they all worked for the emergence of Mr President and were also elected the same day as their colleagues who got appointments as Chairman of Federal Government agencies and wondered why the National Chairman of their party APC did not forward their names to Mr President for Federal appointments.

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Goma Under Siege: M23 Rebels Tighten Grip Amid Ceasefire Uncertainty

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Goma Under Siege: M23 Rebels Tighten Grip Amid Ceasefire Uncertainty

Goma Under Siege: M23 Rebels Tighten Grip Amid Ceasefire Uncertainty

More than 900 people have been killed in the past two weeks amid intense fighting between M23 rebels and government forces in Goma, a city in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The escalating violence has also left approximately 2,880 individuals injured and admitted to various health facilities in Goma since January 26, according to a statement released late Monday by the World Health Organization (WHO).

 

Last week, the M23 armed group, backed by Rwandan troops, seized control of Goma’s airport as its fighters swept through the regional capital of North Kivu, forcing tens of thousands to flee their homes. The rebels have since intensified their attacks in eastern DRC, establishing checkpoints and significantly restricting humanitarian access.

 

With Goma under their control, M23 rebels advanced toward Bukavu, another major city in eastern DRC. Previously, the group had declared its intention to push further across the country toward the national capital, Kinshasa. However, in a recent statement, M23 rebels denied any plans to capture Bukavu.

 

“It must be made clear that we have no intention of capturing Bukavu or other areas. However, we reiterate our commitment to protecting and defending the civilian population and our positions,” said M23 spokesman Lawrence Kanyuka.

Meanwhile, Rwanda-backed forces in eastern DRC announced on Tuesday that they would pause their advance for humanitarian reasons. The Alliance Fleuve Congo rebel coalition declared a unilateral ceasefire starting February 4, 2025, citing growing humanitarian concerns.

A statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) by the rebel group read: “The Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC/M23) informs the public that, in response to the humanitarian crisis caused by the regime in Kinshasa, it declares a ceasefire starting February 4, 2025, for humanitarian reasons.”

Despite the ceasefire declaration, there has been no immediate response from the DRC government in Kinshasa, and it remains unclear whether the Congolese military will honor the truce. Over the past three years, multiple ceasefires and truces have been declared, only to be systematically broken.

Before the ceasefire announcement, the International Committee of the Red Cross reported treating over 600 wounded individuals since the start of January, nearly half of whom were civilians, including women and children. Humanitarian organizations, including the WHO, have also warned of an increased risk of disease outbreaks, including mpox, cholera, and measles, as displaced populations struggle to access medical care amid the ongoing crisis.

 

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