PDP tells EFCC to investigate, prosecute Obasa
• Obasa’s impeachment predictable, says Ikuforiji
Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the impeached Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, and prosecute him if found wanting.
However, former Speaker of the Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, said Obasa sealed his fate with his high-handedness and lack of respect for the executive and other lawmakers.
Lagos PDP Spokesman, Hakeem Amode, disclosed that it was not enough for the lawmakers to allege and not push further to establish the truth in the allegations. He urged the lawmakers to petition the EFCC and furnish the anti-graft agency with the needed evidence for a thorough investigation.
Amode said, “The Assembly is constituted by law and the members have the right to choose who leads them. So, it is within their right to impeach and to re-elect another lawmaker to lead them. This is their constitutional right.
“Their allegation that a fraud has been committed by the former Speaker is of concern to every Lagosian. Our stand is that the lawmakers should petition the EFCC to examine and prosecute Obasa if he is found wanting. They should either petition the police or the EFCC. The good thing is that they have asked him to step aside. He should be prosecuted.”
OBASA (Agege Constituency 1) was impeached on Monday by members of the House for offences bordering on poor leadership style, misconduct and perpetual lateness to legislative sessions and plenary among others.
Ikuforiji disclosed that Obasa’s impeachment was predictable given his unguided attitude to colleagues and defiance of advice from party leaders. He noted that his long tenure in the House made him desperate and too comfortable, which led to strained relationships with other members. He emphasised the importance of maintaining mutual respect and humility, regardless of one’s position in the Assembly.
He said, “One should not get complacent with it or take a leadership position for granted. The speakership is a very hot one. It takes the contribution of all the other 39 members to make the seat comfortable. If any of them is aggrieved, then the seat is shaky.
“One fact that is worthy of note is the equality of all lawmakers in the parliament. So, it is out of place for any of the members to treat others as subordinates. When you start seeing your colleagues as subordinates or feel that you have become larger than life, it becomes very dangerous. The parliament is one where everyone is equal. Leadership in the House should not lead to complacency or arrogance.”
According to Ikuforiji, with events that had been unfolding over time, it’s not out of place to expect that there will be a change in the leadership of the House.
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