A group called Assembly Integrity has condemned members of the Lagos State House of Assembly for violating House standing rules by reconvening to remove the Speaker. The group made the statement on Tuesday in a release titled, “Lagos Lawmakers should not be lawbreakers: Due process is important.”
The unsigned statement noted: “The Assembly’s STANDING RULES for RECONVENING are clearly outlined in section 18, but these procedures were not followed in the Assembly’s haste to commit an illegal act:
“18. (1) If the House is adjourned to an unspecified date and the political party leaders request a meeting on a specific day and time, the Speaker must notify the House accordingly.
“(2) If the House is adjourned to a fixed date or time and the political party leaders request a change, the Speaker can issue notice for the new date and time.
“(3) Once notice is given, the Clerk must inform each member of the details.
“(4) On Mondays through Thursdays, the House may meet at 10:00 a.m. and sit until 6:00 p.m., with a break from 1:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
“(5) On Fridays, the House may meet at 9:00 a.m., unless otherwise specified in the Constitution.”
The controversy began when the lawmakers reconvened on Monday, January 13, 2025, during their recess to remove the then-Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and appoint his former deputy, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, as the new Speaker. This has sparked tension, particularly within the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), causing divisions.
Last weekend, after returning from an overseas trip, Obasa addressed a crowd of supporters, labeling his removal as “unconstitutional” and asserting that he remained the legitimate Speaker.
