#Otoge: Lagosians reject Obasa over forceful takeover of Assembly chambers

Lagos residents have vehemently condemned the forceful re-entry of Mudashiru Obasa into the Lagos State House of Assembly chambers, declaring his self-reinstatement as Speaker an assault on democracy.  

The embattled lawmaker stormed the Assembly complex on Thursday with a group of loyalists, defying due process in what many have described as a desperate power grab.

His actions have sparked outrage among Lagosians, who have promised to activate an #OtogeMovement in the state, a slogan popularised in political movements against entrenched leadership.

Civil society groups, political stakeholders, and concerned citizens have also criticized Obasa’s move, calling it a blatant disregard for democratic norms.

“This is nothing short of political thuggery,” said activist and lawyer Jide Olatunji. “Obasa’s time is up, and Lagosians are making it clear that we will not tolerate leaders who believe they can impose themselves on the people.”

A social commentator, Samuel Odusola, said, “Whoever is gauging the broad daylight display of thuggery exhibited by Obasa and his gang of bandits is playing with fire—one that could engulf the Centre of Excellence in an inferno, consuming all in its wake. His brand of politics has no place in Lagos, a state that prides itself on being a model for others.”

A public affairs analyst and senior lecturer at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Dr Jide Johnson, said Obasa’s forceful re-entry into Assembly Chambers was “clear lawlessness”.

Another public affairs analyst, Mr Oni Olalekan, also commended the move, especially as Obasa had instituted a lawsuit against the Lagos Assembly and its Speaker, Rt Hon Mojisola Meranda, challenging his removal as speaker.

A coalition of civil groups across the state, AdvocatesForGrassrootDevelopment, condemned what it described Obasa’s move as “ a disgrace not worthy of a state like Lagos.” The group urged all right-thinking Lagosians to stand by their respective lawmakers from the 32 constituencies and reject the imposition of Obasa on his colleagues.

“Maybe it’s time we hit the streets with #Otoge as we way of saying we don’t want Obasa as speaker as he was removed by majority members of the floor of the House,” the statement, signed by the Chairman of the group, Bada Johnson, added.

The Lagos State Police Command has since attempted to downplay the situation, stating that security forces remain neutral in the ongoing leadership tussle.

However, many Lagosians have questioned how Obasa was able to storm the chambers unchallenged.