Mudashiru Obasa, former Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, has said he is back as Speaker.
He made the declaration on Thursday when he returned to the assembly complex with police and State Security Service personnel.
This was his first appearance since alleged removal on January 13.
Obasa told reporters on the premises that he is the rightful Speaker. He said he was never removed at all.
He insisted that any process of impeachment or removal must follow democratic and constitutional due process.
Obasa said bypassing the process would undermine the very essence of democracy.
According to the Punch Newspaper, Obasa and security officials entered the Speaker’s Office around midday on Thursday.
This happened after security aides attached to Speaker Mojisola Meranda were withdrawn.
The Lagos Assembly has been in leadership crisis since Obasa left and Meranda was elected. Over 90 per cent of the lawmakers had criticized Obasa for poor leadership, lateness and high handedness.
They also accused him of neglecting fellow legislators and disregarding the executive. Other allegations against him were abuse of office, intimidation and oppression of colleagues.
The allegations have heightened tensions in the assembly. To resolve the crisis, top APC leaders have intervened.
Former Osun, Ogun and Lagos governors including Chief Bisi Akande, Segun Osoba and Akinwunmi Ambode met with political stakeholders at the instance of President Bola Tinubu.
The meeting held last weekend was to stabilize the assembly’s leadership.
Towards the end of the meeting, indications emerged that both Obasa and Meranda would step aside for a new candidate.
Chief Muraina Taiwo, member of the Governors Advisory Council, said party leaders were considering one of the seven lawmakers from Lagos West as the new Speaker.
This scenario is a reflection of the bigger challenges faced by Nigerian legislative institutions in having stable and coherent leadership.
It also underscores the importance of following due process in political appointments.