A former Speaker of the Lagos State Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, has said that the impeached Speaker Midashiru Obasa sealed his fate with his high-handedness and lack of respect for the executive and other lawmakers.
Ikuforiji disclosed that Obasa’s impeachment was predictable given his unguided attitude to colleagues and defiance of advice from party leaders. He noted that his long tenure in the House made him desperate and too comfortable, which led to strained relationships with other members. He emphasised the importance of maintaining mutual respect and humility, regardless of one’s position in the Assembly.
He said, “One should not get complacent with it or take a leadership position for granted. The speakership is a very hot one. It takes the contribution of all the other 39 members to make the seat comfortable. If any of them is aggrieved, then the seat is shaky.
“One fact that is worthy of note is the equality of all lawmakers in the parliament. So, it is out of place for any of the members to treat others as subordinates. When you start seeing your colleagues as subordinates or feel that you have become larger than life, it becomes very dangerous. The parliament is one where everyone is equal. Leadership in the House should not lead to complacency or arrogance.”
According to Ikuforiji, with events that had been unfolding over time, it’s not out of place to expect that there will be a change in the leadership of the House.(Guardian)
