NO matter how often Nigerian politicians parrot the word “democracy”, only a few are true democrats. Monday’s melodrama at the Lagos State House of Assembly proves this. That day, Mojisola Meranda’s 49-day reign as speaker ended abruptly. Mudashiru Obasa, impeached on January 13, returned to the seat.
That set off a gale of farcical resignations and inaugurations of the same persons. The lawmakers who chanted: “We reject Obasa, we reject him in totality,” in February voted to have him back a week later.
The All Progressives Congress lords said they had resolved the Lagos Assembly crisis. This stands truth on its head. What they did was a brazen attack on democracy and an abuse of their privileges. They made the assembly look spineless and toothless, portraying the lawmakers as no better than neophytes.
On January 13, 36 of the 40-member House removed Obasa, though in absentia, accusing him of gross misconduct and abuse of office. There were even allegations of corruption.
Obasa pushed back, saying his removal did not follow due process. He even sued his colleagues. He was in his right. Lawmakers should iron out their differences with one another without external interference. That is the way of democracy and the rule of law.
Sadly, that is not the way of typical political godfathers and their ilk, especially in these parts. With Obasa making moves to retake the speaker’s seat, and his suit pending in court, Bisi Akande and Segun Osoba, former governors of Osun, and Ogun States, and close allies of President Bola Tinubu, prevailed on Meranda to step down for Obasa to return.
It was reported that, as part of the deal, Obasa and Meranda would resign for a new speaker and deputy. Obasa denied this.
Some say this is Politics 2027 playing out. It is hard to imagine a more bizarre intervention.
This is contemptuous of democracy and an assault on legislative independence. Lawmakers should be free to choose their leaders.
Frustratingly, egalitarianism and fairness are practised in the breach across the country. Speakers are imposed and impeached by forces outside the electorate and legislature. This is tantamount to state capture and political rascality.
Civil society organisations and the electorate should resist it. A tiny portion of people should not be allowed to determine the fate of 233 million citizens.
Obasa’s return raises questions. What becomes of the fraud allegations against him? Is there some dirt on him? If so, he can be prosecuted because he has no immunity of any sort. If he is clean, his accusers owe him more than an apology.
Have the APC bigwigs calmed the storm in the House? Or did they paper over the cracks that threatened the foundation of the Assembly chamber?
What happened on Tuesday as Obasa resumed did not offer much hope. The speaker reportedly turned up hours late and offered no apology to the House but remarked that they were not happy about his return. One lawmaker said such an attitude was one reason they wanted him out.
“Obasa’s return was not a selfless decision by us. It was done simply because we respect our leaders like Baba Bisi Akande and Aremo Olusegun Osoba. In our hearts and souls, we do not want him up till this moment,” the lawmaker said.
In her resignation, Meranda said she was not a quitter but only toed the party line for peace to reign. That does not sound like someone who would run from a fight or who thinks there is nothing to fight for. Like her colleagues, Meranda will let sleeping dogs lie.
There are disagreements, even brawls, in every legislature worldwide, but such rifts are resolved in-house. Meddlesome anti-democratic forces and their collaborators should steer clear of legislative chambers and give democracy a chance.
