Lagos Speaker denies contracts scam claims

AgegePulse Magazine

Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, Monday denied allegations that he was laundering money through contract scams.

Obasa described as “absurd, abusive” and “malicious” the claims that he awarded contracts to himself through companies registered in the names of his father, wife and children.

The allegations, he said, were made by online news medium Sahara Reporters in a publication titled “Exposed: Speaker of Lagos Assembly, Obasa, Awards Contracts to self through Company Registered in son’s name”.

But, Obasa’s counsel, Mr. Lawal Pedro SAN, in an April 30 letter seen by The Nation, said none of the firms mentioned by the publication had ever been engaged or awarded any contract by the lawmakers.

He demanded that Sahara Reporters publisher, Mr. Omoyele Sowore, retract the story within seven days and apologise, otherwise face a N1 billion defamation lawsuit.

The letter, ‘Demand for retraction of defamatory statements published against and concerning the person of Rt. Hon, Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa and apology for the publication, reads in part:

Pedro said although the lawmakers had already denied the “said false and malicious publication on social media platforms” the online medium repeated the claims elsewhere.

“In your subsequent publication of 25th March 2020 captioned ‘Exclusive: Tinubu, GAC back Lagos Assembly Speaker, Obasa, over suspension of Lawmakers, corruption’ you repeated the same malicious statement concerning our client…” Pedro said.

According to him, the publication had damaged Obasa’s reputation globally.

He added: In the circumstance, it is our client’s instruction and we hereby demand of you, within 7 days of receipt of this letter a retraction of the said false, malicious and defamatory publication against our client through your online publication, social media platforms and three (3) National Newspapers circulating in Nigeria.

“You are also to tender a written unreserved apology to our client for the publication. TAKE NOTICE that, if you fail, refuse or neglect to meet our client’s humble  request within the stipulated number of days, we have his further instruction to commence a legal action against you and your organization for the malicious defamatory publication and to claim N1,000,000,000.00 (One Billion Naira) damages.”

Lagos Speaker, Obasa Extols Egunjobi, JS Babatunde Giant Strides

...As Iyaloja General Commends Obasa, Ogundimu, Others Over Stakeholders' Meeting

AgegePulse Magazine

Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa has commended the two council Chairmen in Agege LG and Orile Agege LCDA over their huge investment in infrastructure, education, empowerment and welfarism.

Obasa expressed huge satisfaction at the performances of both chairmen while speaking at the just concluded LSHA Stakeholders’ meeting held in Agege tagged: "ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES: Community Engagement to Facilitate Lasting Solution."

He said: "Hon. Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi and Hon. Johnson Babatunde  have made us proud with their unprecedented achievements since they assume office.

"They have both succeeded in several pressing areas needing attention before they came into office. We have seen their achievements such as major roads construction and rehabilitation and flood management through proper drainage designs. In education, they have constructed and renovated schools, provided school uniforms, writing materials and made available; free school buses for public school students.

“Egunjobi and JS Babatunde’s monthly financial empowerment of N100,000 each for about 800 resdidents of Agege and Orile Agege is unprecedented, laudable and will alleviate poverty and promote small scale businesses in this regions." Obasa concluded.

On her part, the Iyaloja General, Agege, Alhaja Taibat Tijani Lawal expressed gratitude to the quality representation of Rt. Hon.  Mudashiru Obasa and Honourable Oluyinka Ogundimu , the two representatives of Agege in the state House of Assembly.

Alhaja Taibat said, the stakeholders meeting has been a viable tool for spontaneous feedback mechanism between government and the people adding that they have contributed immensely to the development of markets and women in Agege.

Fallout Of Budget Leads To Several Insinuations -Lagos Speaker, Obasa

AgegePulse Magazine

Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa has said that the fallout of the presentation of the 2019 Budget by the state government has led to several insinuations in some quarters.

Obasa, who was reacting to the presentation of the 2019 Budget by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday, stated that the fallout of the budget brawl has led to series of negative publications both on social media and in the print media.
The Speaker stressed that the publication was being sponsored by "a faceless group calling themselves the Legislative Probity and Accountability (LPA) led by one Olu Fajana with its pseudonym."

He added that this started immediately the misunderstanding between the Executive and Legislative in respect of the Y2019 budget; which he said meant that such could not be ruled out to have emanated from the Executive.
"A section of the media has even been mischievously misled into sensationally writing all manners of write-ups against this assembly.

"Some of our friends in the media are personalizing the issue thereby
misinforming the public.

"The fact of the matter is that the issue is between one arm of government and another. What was at stake then was nothing but the matter of appropriation.
"Unfortunately, no one from the Executive has risen to refute the
baseless allegations. Since no one has come up to address this, it is
incumbent on us then to come forward and debunk the allegations."

The Speaker then used the medium to challenge the Governor, the Finance Commissioner and the Accountant General of the state to 'prove that we have been collecting N800 million per month since the onset of this administration.

"Thank God, the governor is before us here today; so also, is the Finance commissioner sitting in this hallowed chamber. I likewise challenge the faceless group to prove that this Assembly has been collecting N800 million per month as alleged."

 Obasa added that the event was also an opportunity to shed more light on "unsubstantiated allegations regarding financial misappropriation, which is a clearly well-orchestrated campaign to disrepute my character and integrity as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, and by implication tarnish the image of the legislative arm of the state government."

He emphasized that  the monthly running cost of the Lagos State
House of Assembly covers the entire expenditure of the House
comprising the 40 elected legislators and the administration of over
700 staff.

According to him, it includes sundry items such as travels, training (both local and overseas) office running and maintenance, vehicles, entertainment, publicity, security, protocols, logistics and administrativecosts among others.
'Dear Lagosians, as an arm of government, we are not at odds with
the Governor over anything.

"Rather, we are diligently playing our roles in contributing to the transparent and accountable governance that has made Lagos the envy of all and a model frame of reference in terms of development in this political dispensation.

"We need to remind ourselves that democracy is about institution and we must all learn to protect this. We must not, in whatever
circumstance, derogate or smear this institution. Failure to do so will affect our democracy," he said.

Obasa thanked meaningful Lagosians and Nigerians, who he said had been calling to ensure that peace reign in Lagos as well as the quick presentation of the budget.

He appreciated the likes Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos, Alhaji Musiliu Adeola Kunbi Smith, members of Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, all members of Governing Advisory Council (GAC), the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof Yemi Oshinbajo and particularly APC National Leader, Ashiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu "for their concerted efforts towards ensuring that peace reign supreme among all the three arms of government in Lagos State."

He explained that the role of budget in economy and its essence
are key as provided in the 1999 Constitution (as amended) in Section
121, stipulating that the Governor must prepare and lay the budget
before the House, which he said now creates the avenue to incur expenditure.
"All the arms of government must work together to ensure economic
growth and human development.

"We also need to know that infrastructure of the state is crucial, and the position of Lagos State is germane in Nigeria and its West African suburbs.
"Being the fifth largest economy in Africa, everything must be done to sustain the leadership quality of Lagos State in all spheres.

"Nevertheless, may I call on the governor that with the few months to go, he should endeavour to attend to urgent needs of Lagosians
especially by addressing the inner roads of the state as well as issue
of environment.

"We should be cognizant of the fact that the essence of democratic governance is that people remain the object of development," he said
The Speaker said that with the remaining parts of this tenure, more could still be done to ease socio – economic problems, particularly on finishing all road projects and rehabilitations, provision of housing, making surethat our environment is clean and poverty alleviation programmes embarked upon, before the end of this administration.

"As we hope that the Y2019 Budget will be of great benefit to the
people of Lagos State, we however appeal to His Excellency and
Lagosians to give us sufficient time to enable the House do a thorough job on a financial document that has great influence on the lives of the people.

"The Assembly would not delay the passage of the budget, but we will be interested in placing high premium on the need to ensure that the interests of Lagosian are protected socio-economically and politically. We are your representatives here at the House of assembly and we are duty bound to do justice to every sector of the state’s economy.

"May I use this medium, however, to appeal to everyone, especially
Lagosians to be law abiding as we prepare for the general elections. I
urge us all to come out en masse to support the continuation of the
good jobs our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has embarked on since the beginning of our administration by voting for all our candidates at all levels in the forthcoming elections as we move on to the Next Level," he said.

Nigeria @58: Lagos Speaker Salutes Nigerians, Urges To Pray For Peaceful 2019 Elections

The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Mudashiru Obasa has called on Nigerians not to relent in praying for a peaceful general elections next year.

Rt. Hon. Obasa also urged the people of the country to desist from actions and utterances that can negatively affect the peaceful co-existence of the country.

The Lagos Assembly Speaker's admonition was contained in his message to Nigerians on the celebration of the country's 58th Independence Anniversary. The press statement, issued in Lagos on Sunday, was signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Musbau Rasak.

"It's a very crucial period in Nigeria and as we move towards the 2019 general elections, I want to call on Nigerians to continue to pray for peace to reign before, during and after the elections.

"We must also eschew violence, avoid actions and utterances that can breach public peace. We must promote measures and programmes that will enhance the unity of this country.

"As parents and citizens, we must be vigilant and be watchful of friends our children and wards associate with. We must be vigilant of events in our environment and make sure we report suspicious characters and groups to security agencies in order to nip crimes in the bud.

"As youths, we should not allow ourselves to be used as agents of violence. We should not give in to unscrupulous elements in the society who will want to take advantage of our vulnerability to cause mayhem and disturb public peace," Rt. Hon. Obasa said.

He stated that the All Progressives Congress  (APC) administration at all levels is not unaware of the challenges facing the country assuring that the government will not relent in putting in place measures and programmes that will enhance the welfare of the people and improve their standard of living.

"The APC government at all levels will continue to put in place measures that will ensure that Nigerians get dividends of democracy even at their doorsteps.

"On behalf of the entire members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, I wish you a happy and fruitful 58th Independence Anniversary celebration," he said.

Lagos Speaker Obasa Sets To Break Record

Lagos Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa is set to break record as he was screened and cleared at early hours of today at the state secretariat of APC to recontest for Lagos State House of Assembly for the fifth term.

This move will seeks his reelection as a speaker for second term

 See photos below

We Are Satisfied With Your Quality Representation - Agege/Orile Agege Communities Tell Obasa, Ogundimu

...Endorse Duo For 2019
...Purchase Nomination Form For Duo

AgegePulse Magazine

The popular saying that to whom much is given much is expected and the fact that someone who is not grateful to man can never appreciate God could well be used to describe the action of political stakeholders of Agege LG and Orile Agege LCDA as they took the two lawmakers representing them in the Lagos State House of Assembly by surprise when they purchase nomination and expression of interest form for their reelection come 2019 under the auspicies of All Progressives Congress (APC).


The communities were of the opinion that the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa; and his colleague in the House representing Agege Constituency 2, Hon Oluyinka Ogundimu have been blessings to Agege/Orile Agege over the years.

The move, which was a ‘coup’ for the lawmakers, was spearheaded by the Chairman of Agege Local Government, Alhaji Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi.

Agege Pulse learnt that Hon Ogundimu had gone to the APC secretariat on Acme Road, Ogba to collect nomination forms for the Speaker and himself but was informed that the forms have been collected on their behalf by their community.

In separate remarks, the stakeholders expressed the rationale behind the unprecedented development in Agege/Orile Agege.

According to APC chieftain in Agege, Chief Safari Adaranijo, the community decided to collect the forms for the lawmakers in appreciation of their immense contributions to the development of Agege.

“The development is unprecedented in the history of the community. Roads, bridges, employment for youths and empowerment programmes for women. They have performed well. So we are doing this not only to show appreciation but also to give them the chance to serve us more and bring more development,” Chief Adaranijo said.

His views were corroborated by the Alaige of Orile Agege, His Royal Majesty Ambaliu Agbedeyi who stated that the two lawmakers are worthy ambassadors of Agege community.

The member representing Agege Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Honourable Taofeek Abiodun Adaranijo also poured encomiums on both the Speaker and Hon Ogundimu. “The two of them have represented the community well. We can only show appreciation by endorsing them for another term. We have shown our intention by purchasing their nomination forms and I know they will not rest on their oars,” the Rep member said.

Accepting the forms on behalf of the Speaker and himself, Hon Ogundimu expressed appreciation to the community for the honour.

“This is a great honour, the first in the history of this community and I am assuring you on behalf of Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, that this is a call for more service. We will not relent and we will not rest on our oars. We remain committed to the development and growth of Agege community,” Hon Ogundimu, who is the Chairman of the House Committee on Finance, said.

On her part, the Iyaloja General of Orile Agege, Mrs Bola Orelaru was full of praise for the legislators. She said, "We are satisfied with their work, they have done a great job in bringing development to Agege. We love them because of the actions and quality representation we are getting from them." Iyaloja concluded.



Dignitaries who graced the presentation and endorsement event include: Alaige of Orile Agege, Oba Ambaliu Agbedeyi, the Adele - Regent of Ogba Ashade Land, Prince Jelili Ashade, Seriki of Hausawan Agege, Alhaji Mohammad Dongo Kadai, all the Baales "High Chiefs", CDA chairmen of Agege LGA and Orile Agege LCDA, the first executive chairman of Agege LGA. Hon. Owolabi Dada, Agege APC chieftain Chief Safari Adaranijo, MHR Hon Taofeek Adaranijo, Hon. Yinka Ogundimu., APC LG Party Chairman,  Mr. Tunde Azeez Disco.

Others are the Host, Hon. Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi Chairman Agege LGA and his Vice Chairman, Abiodun Ogunji, Chairman of Orile Agege LCDA, Hon. Johnson Babatunde Sunday and his Vice Chairman Hon. Akanni Kafilat, SLGs of both Councils,  Hon.  Gbenga Abiola and Hon.  James Agboola,  all the Honourable Councillors and Supervisory Councilors of both Agege LGA and Orile Agege LCDA, Otunba Akin Richard Oshugboye and Hon. Richard Osanyinpeju Aroko, ES, Agege LGEA, Hon. Majiyagbe,  all APC Agege Ward Chairmen and women leader.

Lagos speaker, 99 others pick APC nomination forms

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress on Thursday said no fewer than 100 aspirants had picked up nomination forms to contest the state House of Assembly primary election in the last two days.

The Assistant Publicity Secretary, Mr Abiodun Salami, gave the figure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos.

He said the secretariat had been besieged by aspirants seeking the party’s tickets since the sale of forms commenced on Wednesday.
Salami said the Speaker of the Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa and the Deputy Speaker, Mr Sanni Eshinlokun, were some of the lawmakers who had picked nomination forms for re-election.

“Yes, aspirants have been coming to the secretariat to pick their forms since the exercise started yesterday.

“So far, more than 100 aspirants, including the Speaker of the House of Assembly and his Deputy, have picked up their forms.

“We are making the process as transparent as possible. It is an open thing and we are expecting more aspirants to come for their forms before the tentative deadline of Monday,”  he said.

Salami said the party was committed to the ideals of internal democracy and would ensure candidates emerged through popular elections.

NAN

Sallah: Hon Osolana Launches Obasa Cares Initiative

...Donates Sallah Foodstuff in Agege

AgegePulse Magazine

Lagos Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa campaign group, Obasa Movement witnessed another great dimension at the meeting held in 20 centres of four Wards, Ward A-D of Agege Constituency 01 yesterday.


This was because the Supervisory Councilor, Works & Housing Agege LGA, Hon. Sola Osolana stormed four out of the twenty centers yesterday when strategic discussions on the reelection of Hon. Obasa was going on.

Osolana's presence at the centres was a blessing to some politicians and host communities of various centers yesterday as the philanthropist cum politician distributed pack of rice on behalf of the speaker.


Agegepulse reliably gathered that the initiative tagged "Obasa Cares" was designed as a relief measure to support the people and Muslim faithfuls at large towards the celebration of Eid il-Kabir slated for next Tuesday and Wednesday.

Recall, the soft spoken philanthropist donated cash gifts worth Million of Naira last year to the 7 wards chairmen and 175 excos of Agege local government last prior to the celebration.

Osolana who has always taken welfare as paramount on his mind for the people of Agege, noted that "Obasa Cares" is part of his effort to support the number three man in Lagos State for his reelection bid, sighting the speaker's influence on the enormous developmental efforts going on across Agege.

A member of the monitoring team of Obasa Movement, Hon. Ajala Omotosho told Agegepulse that the meeting was held simultaneously at about twenty centres across four wards in Agege which include Capitol Road, Isale Oja, Ogeretedo Aluminum Village, Surulere amongst others.


Hon. Rasheed Osanyinpeju Aroko, Alhaji Moroofdeen Omodele and Alhaja Aminat Aramide who are also members of the monitoring team thanked leaders and members of APC for the mobilisation efforts towards encouraging the people of Agege to collect their PVC.


Also, they appreciated Hon. Sola Osolana for his zeal to bring smile to the faces of the people with the Obasa Cares Initiative.

#Agege Pulse

2019: Akiolu Endorses Buhari, Ambode, Obasa

The Oba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty Rilwan Osuolale Akiolu has called on Nigerians particularly Lagosians to ensure the return of President Muhammadu Buhari, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa and Hon Wasiu Eshinlokun-Sanni in the 2019 general elections.

The quartet  are: the President of Nigeria, Governor of Lagos State, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly and the Deputy Speaker of same Assembly respectively.


The Lagos monarch made this statement on Saturday in his palace when Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures paid him a courtesy visit in the course of their quarterly meeting in Lagos.


Oba Akiolu described the quartet as having performed excellently well in their course of duty.


"They have done well. And going by their performances during the few years that they have been saddled with the leadership positions, they have shown to all and sundry that they can do more if given the opportunity again," he said.


The Lagos monarch stated further advised politicians to work for the interest and welfare of Nigerians. "Politicians can only do this by settling their differences amicably. Politics is characterised by allignment and re-allignment of personnel but in doing this, politicians should not take actions or make utterances that can heat up the polity.


"We should ensure that we live in peace and harmony and that's when the country can grow and develop. Through this, Nigerians will enjoy real dividends of democracy," Oba Akiolu said.


The Speaker of the Kebbi State House of Assembly and Chairman of the Conference I Speakers, Rt. Hon. Ismaila Kamba described Oba Akiolu as a man of honour and integrity. "As a policeman, I know you as an upright man and as a traditional ruler, you are still on the path of truth and the Rule of Law. I admire your courage and I thank you for taking time to host us," he said.


The host Speaker, Rt. Hon. Obasa described Oba Akiolu as a supporter of truth and an agitator for justice. "He has been a pillar of support for us. He has always stand by us and we have been drinking positively from his fountain of knowedge and wisdom," Rt. Hon Obasa said.

Agege LGEA Boss Extols Ambode Over Secondary School Placement Text

...Receives instructional materials from Lagos Speaker, Obasa

AgegePulse Magazine

The Education Secretary of Agege Local Government Education Authority, Mr. Olalekan Olatunde Majiyagbe has expressed gratitude to Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on the successful staging of placement test process for potential applicants seeking admission into Lagos public secondary schools in Agege.

Hon. Majiyagbe said the adequate funding of the activities by the Lagos State Governor made the exercise a huge success.

Majiyagbe who also doubled as the Chairman of National Association of Education Secretaries, Lagos State Chapter, added that the motivation by Lagos State government encouraged the teachers assigned for the exercise to dissipate all their energy and professionalism towards the success of the exercise.

In another development, Hon Majiyagbe hailed Lagos House of Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa after receiving some instructional materials for all Public Primary Schools in Agege and Orile Agege donated by Obasa.

He said,  "we appreciate our own speaking speaker, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa for this laudable gesture. This development will relief parents from the pressure to purchase other school items".

According to Majiyagbe, the distribution of the said instructional materials will start immediately schools resume by September, 2018.

Lagos Speaker Obasa Greets Tinubu At 65, Says He's Architect Of Modern Lagos

Lagos Speaker Obasa Greets Tinubu At 65, Says He's Architect Of Modern Lagos


The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, has saluted the courage, determination, commitment and the will to succeed despite all odds of the former Governor of Lagos State and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Rt. Hon. Obasa stated this in his message to celebrate the 65th birthday anniversary of the former Governor. The statement was signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Musbau Razak.


Describing Tinubu as the architect of modern Lagos, Obasa stated that the ingenuity of the former Governor has turned the state once regarded as the dirtiest in the country to not only the cleanest but that has also achieved a mega city status.

"He's not only the architect of modern Lagos, he's also a great leader of men whose unrivalled ability to discover talent has led to the discovery of great leaders who have turned out to become reference point in great leadership and good governance in the present democratic dispensation in the country," the Lagos Assembly Speaker said.

Obasa stated further that Asiwaju Tinubu will continue to remain relevant and the main reference point in Nigerian politics forever because of his selfless and humane nature which centre on the development of man in particular and the nation in general.

"His love for the common man knows no bound and his passion for the development and growth of this great country makes him arguably Nigeria's greatest politician of the present political dispensation," he said.

He concluded saying, "on behalf of other members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, I greet our leader and wish him more years of celebration in good health and wisdom".

Lagos Speaker Obasa Hands Over Report Of Constituency Meeting To Ambode

Lagos Speaker Obasa Hands Over Report Of Constituency Meeting To Ambode; Gov Says it’ll Form Part Of 2017 Budget

The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa has handed over the reports of the constituency stakeholders’ meeting organised by the House to the state Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode for implementation.

The constituency stakeholders’ meeting, second in the series, took place simultaneously in all the 40 constituencies in the state.

The reports contained the requests and recommendations of the people of the state spread across the 40 constituencies on how the state will continue to achieve development and growth.

On Friday during the Executive-Legislative Parley organised by the state government, Obasa told the Governor that the reports contained the wishes and recommendations of the people of the state urging him to ensure their implementation.

“We decided to feel the pulse of our people through the constituency stakeholders’ meeting and what I’m presenting to you today is their aggregate demands and recommendations collated by our field officers who worked in the 40 constituencies,” the Lagos Assembly Speaker said.

Governor Ambode while receiving the reports from the Speaker assured that the contents would form major components of the 2017 budget.

“These are the wishes of Lagosians and these will help us greatly in preparing the 2017 budget. These reports will save time because they are the direct requests of the people so we have something to work on,” Ambode said.

He commended the state Assembly for the initiative boring that the initiative complements the efforts of state government to bring dividends of democracy closer to the people. “This is a very unique initiative which has been complementing the efforts of the government to improve the welfare of our people and bring dividends of democracy closer to them,” he said.

Ambode later handed over the reports to the state Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr Akinyemi Asade for implementation.