Lagos Assembly removes two principal officers, suspends two others

IBRAHIM QUADRI

In a dramatic move on Monday, the Lagos State House of Assembly recorded a departure from its usual calmness as surprises were thrown up.

The House has suspended two of its principal officers. They are the Chief Whip of the House, Hon. Rotimi Abiru and the Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Olumuyiwa Jimoh.

Also two members of the House, Hon. Moshood Oshun (Lagos Mainland Constituency 2) and Hon. Kazeem Raheem Adewale (Ibeju-Lekki Constituency 2) were suspended indefinitely.

While announcing the suspension of the members, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa stated that the House is the hope of the people and the heartbeat of democracy and that it should be well guided.

“I hereby invoke Section 68 and Section 70 4 (a, b) 2 and 3 of the House rules in respect of gross misconduct, insubordination and action that can destablise this House. I hereby move that Hon. Moshood Oshun and Hon. Raheem Adewale be placed on suspension indefinitely”,  Obasa said.

The two decisions were supported through voice votes by the members present during plenary.

The request for the removal of the two principal officers was contained in a letter read on the floor.

In the letter titled, ‘Notice and Change of Leadership,’ was read by the Clerk of the House, Mr. Azeez Sanni.

The Clerk stated that the 26 members that signed the letter wished to notify the House “to change the leadership of the House including, Hon. Rotimi Abiru as the Chief Whip and Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Olumuyiwa Jimoh.”

The removal of the principal officers and suspension of the two members came amid speculation that there were critical issues that could divide the House and “that more revelations might come in the coming days.”

Meanwhile, the House has announced the death of Mr. Debo Adegbesan, a Principal Legislative Officer on Grade Level 12, who died in the early hours of Monday, 9th March, 2020 at the age of 37 years.

The House subsequently adjourned sitting to Tuesday, 10th March, 2020.

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