The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, continues to face mounting allegations of corruption and financial mismanagement that have cast a shadow over his tenure. Critics, opposition leaders, and anti-corruption advocates have accused him of extravagant spending, abuse of office, and financial misconduct, while calls for decisive action remain unmet.
Recent findings by People’s Gazette revealed that under Obasa’s leadership, the Lagos Assembly spent over ₦43 billion on "back-up vehicles for honourable members" between January 2023 and the third quarter of 2024. This expenditure forms part of a larger ₦90.5 billion disbursed for projects deemed questionable, sparking concerns among Lagos residents grappling with economic hardship.
Budgetary records indicate that the Assembly allocated ₦30.1 billion for vehicles in 2023 and an additional ₦13.3 billion in the first three quarters of 2024—amounting to approximately ₦1.1 billion per lawmaker. Critics have labeled these expenditures as excessive and disconnected from the pressing needs of the public.
Obasa’s tenure has been riddled with allegations of corruption since its early days, including claims of operating over 60 bank accounts allegedly used to siphon public funds. A 2019 report by People’s Gazette detailed suspicious foreign exchange transactions amounting to $2.4 million (₦1.1 billion), allegedly funneled through personal accounts and mutual fund investments.
In October 2020, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) invited Obasa for questioning over fraud allegations. Despite evidence of financial impropriety, including inflated contracts and misappropriated Assembly funds, the EFCC has yet to take substantive action. Civil society groups, such as the Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CISNAC), have organized protests demanding accountability, but progress has been limited.
Obasa has consistently denied all accusations. At a recent plenary session, he dismissed claims of spending ₦17 billion on constructing a gate as "spurious and funny" and refuted allegations of allocating ₦200 million for a nonexistent thanksgiving service. He attributed these accusations to political fear-mongering ahead of the 2027 elections.
Critics have dismissed Obasa’s defenses as unconvincing. A 2020 internal Assembly panel—composed largely of his allies—exonerated him, a decision derided by anti-corruption advocates as a “kangaroo judgment.”
Prominent anti-corruption campaigner Olanrewaju Suraju has called on the EFCC to act decisively, warning that inaction erodes public trust and undermines legislative independence. “These revelations underscore the urgent need for mechanisms to enforce probity and accountability in public office,” Suraju stated.
Despite the controversies, Obasa’s position appears secure, with analysts attributing his resilience to powerful political connections and a culture of impunity. As Lagos State approaches the 2027 elections, the scandals surrounding the Speaker underscore deeper challenges of corruption and governance in Nigeria’s political system.
Observers now await whether anti-graft agencies will take meaningful action, as public frustration with political leadership and accountability continues to grow.
Post a Comment