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PROPERTIES OWNERSHIP: MY POLITICAL ENEMIES ARE JUST CHASING SHADOW, SPEAKER, OBASA

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Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt (Hon) Mudashiru Obasa has said that his position as Speaker of the House did not stop him from owning properties as long as the properties are not linked to missing fund of the House.
“I don’t entertain any fear concerning the media reports. My becoming the Speaker was through the Almighty Allah. This House of Assembly is One and it will remain one forever. The House is not divided,” Obasa said.
The Speaker spoke on Monday 12 October, 2020 during plenary.
Obasa said that the media report that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had uncovered 40 duplexes and other properties linked to him was the handiwork of his political enemies.
“They have taken me to the EFCC, I have been invited,  I have honoured their invitation and the invitation still continues. It is nothing but desperation to get me out. They started with official matters of the Assembly, they now went into my personal life.
“They said I have property opposite LASPOTECH in Ikorodu, now the question is, does being a Speaker stop me from having my personal properties? I think the question should be is there any issue with the finances of the House?
“So, i just want to urge us to continue to work together in the interest of our people, those who are chasing shadow will get tired.
“They said I have 57 houses in Agege. They are shameless, they are not talking of Ikoyi, they are not talking of Lekki, I have houses in Agege, they brought out the list, almost every street in Agege, I just hope they will not go and seize somebody else’ house thinking I own it.
“All that have been going on since March is just to get me out of the seat, it is pure politics and I hope EFCC will not allow itself to be dragged into this politics”, said the Speaker.
Members of the Assembly had on Monday passed vote of confidence on Speaker Obasa, saying that his leadership style was worthy of emulation.
The lawmakers passed the vote of confidence after the lawmaker representing Somolu Constituency 1, Hon. Rotimi Olowo eulogised the leadership prowess of the Speaker in running of the affairs of the House.
Olowo thanked the Speaker for addressing the #EndSARS protesters on Thursday night despite his tight schedule, saying that it was rear for a leader to do such at that period of time.
“I raise this issue this afternoon to appreciate you and the Deputy Speaker for the prompt attention and response to the #EndSARS protest.
“On Thursday, my son in Canada told me he saw you and the Deputy Speaker addressing the youths at midnight.
“It shows that you are not just a leader, but a brother whom blood runs in his vein. And we all know that the youths are the strength of this nation.
“There are youths who are doing negative things but we have many who are very hardworking. They have won many accolades and awards in and outside Nigeria. For you to have taken time to address the protesters, it shows you are more than a leader but a father and a builder.”
“In addition, on Friday you called an emergency plenary to address the issue of the #EndSARS protesters, it shows you are a father and a leader. Aside that, you have done things that make me to appreciate you.
“You have helped in he preservation of Yoruba Language and culture by introducing the speaking of the language during plenary session on Thursdays.
“Before I will move vote of confidence in you, I want to say this, that you should allow members to raise their voice and as well their hands and allow them to speak because the mischievous people have started again with intention to destroy your person.
“On Saturday, I read on the social media that 26 members of the Lagos State House of Assembly have begun to sign for your impeachment. I don’t know the 26 members the report was talking about because I know that you have the majority in this House. And I also know that we are more than 26 who are your followers in this House because you are a great man.
“We should know the 26 members that have signed for your impeachment today. So, I want to urge you, Mr Speaker to allow the members to talk and eulogise you because you are doing well,” said Olowo.
In his comments, the lawmaker representing Surulere 1, Hon. Desmond Elliot, said that the issue of lawmakers signing impeachment notice against the Speaker was becoming too much, saying that the leadership should suspend erring members.
Also, Hon. Fatai Oluwa ( Ajeromi Ifelodun 2) while clarifying that he was part of the lawmakers who travelled to Turkey, accused Hon. Wahab Jimoh ( Apapa 2) of divulging the information of the House to the media.
He added “I was part of the lawmakers who travelled to Instabul in Turkey but to my surprise in the report I read online, Hon. Wahab Jimoh’s name was not mentioned as part of the beneficiaries.
“This shows that he was the one who was divulging information about this House to the media.”
The lawmaker representing Ifako/Ijaiye 1, Hon. Temitope Adewale, assured the Speaker of his loyalty, saying that before he was elected, he had known the House to be a peaceful Assembly.
Adewale  accused Hon. Wahab Jimoh of divulging authorized information of the House to the media, saying that he listened recently to a voice note where Jimoh told some people to search for Houses owned by the Speaker abroad.
Also, Hon. Olusola Sokunle ( Oshodi-Isolo 1) said that his loyalty to the Speaker remained unshakable, saying that  those fingered in the act of divulging authorized information of the House to the media should be suspended.
“My loyalty to Speaker Obasa is unshakable. I don’t know why some people would be after pulling Mr Speaker down at all cost.
“We want the Majority Leader to speak out and make it clear where he belongs if he is for the majority or the minority.
“We have information at our disposal that Hon. Wahab Jimoh is searching around for Obasa’s properties in the United States. If any information comes out on the media about your properties, I suggest that Hon. Wahab Jimoh should be suspended indefinitely.
“If it is war, let it be war, we are the ones incharge of this House. We should also investigate my dear brother, Hon. Moshood Oshun, it is part of it. When we have peace we will call them back,” Sokunle said.
Hon. Lukmon Olumoh ( Ajeromi/Ifelodun 1) said “I don’t know why some members will want to bring the Speaker down at all cost despite his wonderful contributions to the growth and development of State parliament in Nigeria and Lagos in particular. I want to assure Mr Speaker that I remain loyal to him and will stand with him till the end”.
Hon. Victor Akande ( Ojo 2), in his comments, described Obasa as a listening leader who accommodates members’ views on issues, saying that the Speaker was instrumental to his re-election.
“I will want the Majority Leader to speak out on where he belongs in this House. We are majority in this House and he is our Majority Leader. The minority cannot rule over the majority,” Akande said.
While responding,  the Majority Leader, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, said that he was embarrassed by the comments of those asking him to state where he belonged, saying that with the vote of confidence passed on the Speaker, those behind the purported impeachment plan had been disgraced.
“I know fully well that impeachment of the Speaker cannot be done on the social media and it takes a process,” Agunbiade said.
All lawmakers in attendance took turn to appreciate the legislative leadership of Speaker Obasa.
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