Fouad Oki, a prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, has called on the impeached Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, to either return to his legislative duties or step down completely.
Oki’s comments came after Obasa, who was impeached last week, insisted that he remained the speaker, claiming that the impeachment was carried out using a fake mace. On Monday, Mojisola Meranda was formally sworn in as the new Speaker following Obasa’s removal.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Oki advised the Agege lawmaker to focus on his primary role as a legislator, just like other members of the House. “Matters of the Lagos Assembly are past events… what has played out in Lagos is very clear: there is party organisation and there’s party convention. You know conventions are unwritten rules or unwritten laws,” Oki said.
He emphasized the importance of hierarchy and checks and balances in politics, saying the events surrounding Obasa’s impeachment offered valuable lessons. “There’s no shame in it. Nothing he could do other than go back to the house and continue his job as a legislator,” Oki added.
The APC chieftain also suggested that if Obasa was no longer interested in the position, he should consider stepping down. “He should throw in the hat and say ‘I’ve had enough, let someone else take over from me,’” Oki said, urging Obasa to shift his focus back to making good laws for the people of Lagos.
Oki concluded by stating that politics, like any other field, has its ups and downs, and that Obasa should accept the outcome and continue his work or move on from the leadership role.
