Supporters rally for return of Lagos impeached speaker

Supporters of the impeached Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, gathered at the Speaker’s Lodge on Joel Ogunnaike Street, GRA Ikeja, Lagos, on Saturday morning in anticipation of his return.

Witnesses reported that the crowd, dressed in pro-Obasa vests and caps, aimed to organize a “heroic welcome” for the former speaker, who was recently removed by a majority vote in the House.

Obasa, who was out of the country during the impeachment proceedings, was replaced by Mojisola Meranda, the former deputy speaker. Meranda has since presided over two sessions of the Assembly, with Obasa absent from both.

The choice of the Speaker’s Lodge at 47 Joel Ogunnaike Street as the gathering point has raised eyebrows, as Obasa no longer has an official claim to the residence. A nearby resident expressed surprise, saying, “I didn’t expect that the lodge would be opened for them.”

Security personnel, including police officers, were deployed to the area to ensure order and prevent any disruption. As of the time of reporting, Obasa had not yet arrived at the scene.