The Lagos State House of Assembly has insisted that the removal of its former Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, was legal, even as lawmakers were interrogated by the Department of State Services (DSS) over the matter.
More than half of the Assembly members were questioned by the DSS on Thursday in response to a petition reportedly filed by Obasa, who claimed his removal was unlawful. The lawmakers were held for several hours before being released later in the evening.
A source within the DSS, who was not authorized to speak to the media, confirmed that the lawmakers were invited for questioning.
“They have been released. They were just invited for questioning based on the incidents that happened at the Assembly. They were allowed to go immediately after the questioning,” the DSS official told The PUNCH.
The spokesperson for the Lagos State House of Assembly, Ogundipe Olukayode, also confirmed that all the detained lawmakers had regained their freedom. He explained that the legislators visited the DSS to provide clarity on the events surrounding Obasa’s removal.
“At the DSS office, we reaffirmed our commitment to upholding constitutional governance following the removal of the former Speaker,” Olukayode said.
He emphasized that the decision to remove Obasa was made in line with the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Powers and Privileges Act.
The Assembly maintained that the process used to remove Obasa was democratic and met the legal requirements.
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“The decision to remove the former Speaker was made through a democratic process, with the required majority as stipulated by law. Any attempt to challenge this lawful action undermines the authority granted to us by the Nigerian Constitution,” Olukayode stated.
He also commended the DSS for handling the questioning in a professional manner.
“We appreciate the Lagos DSS Command, especially the Director, for ensuring a smooth and respectful engagement. The process allowed us to give a clear recount of events in a comfortable and professional environment,” he added.
Obasa, who has served as Speaker since 2015 and represents Agege Constituency I, has continued to challenge his removal. After returning from the United States, he insisted that he was still the legitimate Speaker of the House.
He urged the lawmakers to follow the “right process” in addressing his removal, claiming he had been unfairly targeted.
The controversy surrounding Obasa’s removal has sparked political tensions in Lagos, with many watching closely to see how the situation unfolds.