Speakership Tussle: Obasa Gets Lawmakers Backing For Third Term

By Akinwale Kasali

The plans by some aggrieved Lawmakers at the Lagos State House of Assembly to deny the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, s third term in office as Speaker has hit the rock.

Sure of being re-elected by his constituents, Obasa, a two-term Speaker is looking for a third term as Speaker in 2023. A good number of the lawmakers have thrown their weight behind him.

Hon. Abiodun Tobun and Hon. Mojeed Fatai Adebola, top ranking lawmakers  have promised to champion the re-election of Obasa as Speaker of the House when a new session begins in 2023.

The Lawmakers representing Epe Constituency 1 and Ibeju-Lekki Constituency I respectively, said this in separate statements in which they further rebutted a claim by some bloggers that they were eyeing the Speakership seat of the Assembly.

Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu, had earlier denied being interested in the speakership of the House following speculations that he was part of those plotting that Obasa wouldn’t be retain the seat.

Tobun had earlier said in a Statement that he had no reason to think in the direction of Speakership of the House but that one of his major preoccupations remains to support the current occupier who have shown a mastery of legislative practice thus placing Lagos on the global parliamentary map.

The lawmaker said he was not aware of any of such plans or consultations relating to matters of Speakership ahead of 2023 and that he would never be party to any move against the progress of the Lagos legislature.

“I am totally in support of Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa’s good plans and vision for the legislature and the state at large.

“I am solidly behind any move that will help him achieve his goals and aspirations.

“I have a great relationship with the Speaker and I support his re-election to office as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

“I will continue to support him and also contribute my quota to any idea that will help him achieve his vision for the development of the Lagos legislature and the state at large,” Tobun’s statement read.

While urging members of the public as well as the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to disregard what he described as fake news, he added: “I, Abiodun Mustainu Tobun, hereby dissociate myself from any story connecting me to such plans.

“I am not aware of such sinister moves, plots or consultations related to matters regarding speakership and I will never be a party to any conversation that is against the success and progress of the head of this legislature, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa.”

He called on those peddling the fake news to desist because they would continue to fail.

“We are more focused on our collective and individual successes at the coming general elections from that of the presidency to the State Houses of Assembly.

“I hereby reaffirm my loyalty to the ‘Speaking Speaker’ of the Lagos State House of Assembly,” Tobun said.

On his part, Fatai while debunking the claim, declared that he remained confident in the leadership style of the Speaker.

According to him, Rt. Hon. Obasa has remained exemplary in the administration of the House and thus, must be supported for a more prosperous Lagos.

He described the Lagos Assembly as the most peaceful in Nigeria adding that he remains focused on delivering his primary duty of lawmaking as well as ensuring victory for all the candidates of the APC in Lagos State in the 2023 election.