A Nigerian civil and political rights activist, Dr Wale Ajewunmi, has urged the All Progressives Congress to prevent tension and crisis in the Lagos House of Assembly.
Mr Ajewunmi, who gave the advice in a statement in Lagos on Saturday, called on the impeached Lagos Assembly’s Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, to stop inciting utterances that could harm the peace enjoyed in the state.
The activist was reacting to the declaration made by Mr Obasa while addressing his supporters in his house earlier on Saturday that he still remained the speaker, adding that Nigerians would know his next line of action in the coming days.
Mr Obasa was removed as the speaker on January 13 over allegations of misconduct and mismanagement of funds and immediately replaced with his former Deputy, Mojisola Meranda.
Reacting to the looming tension, the activist advised Mr Obasa to refrain from making comments and taking actions that could cause unrest in the state.
Mr Ajewunmi said that the ousted speaker should not allow himself to be used to destroy the legislative arm.
The activist said that the APC should not allow the situation to affect the gains the House had made over the years.
Quoting the constitution, Mr Ajewunmi added that section 92 (c) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), stated that the speaker or deputy speaker of the House of Assembly shall vacate his office if he is removed from office by a resolution of House of Assembly by the votes of not less than two-third majority of the members of the House.
He said that contrary to Mr Obasa’s claim, the speaker does not have to be in the House at all to be properly removed.
He added, “The House has the liberty to change its leadership as it so desires anytime with the only precondition that it meets the two-thirds majority of members present voting for the removal of the speaker.”
He said that as an experienced lawmaker, Mr Obasa should not put up any fight or position himself to cause any unrest.
A lawmaker, Stephen Ogundipe, had also faulted Mr Obasa’s claims that he was not properly impeached.
Mr Ogundipe in a statement on Saturday said that the House stood by its decision because over two-third majority of the lawmakers signed Mr Obasa’s impeachment.
Mr Ogundipe, a former Chairman of Committee on Information, said that any attempt to heat up the polity would be resisted by the majority of the members, who elected Mojisola Meranda as the new speaker.
(NAN)
