Through dedication, determination, purposeful stewardship to his people, uncommon leadership with some elements of luck and God’s grace, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa is today the longest serving State Legislator since the creation of Lagos State, having been emphatically re-elected by his constituents for the sixth consecutive time during the State Houses of Assembly elections held across Nigeria on 18th March, 2023.
After the proclamation of the House by the then Governor in June 2015 and being one of the most ranking members of Lagos State House of Assembly then, Rt. Hon.(Dr.) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa was unanimously elected unopposed by his colleagues as the Speaker of the 8th Assembly.
This was largely due to the confidence reposed in him by the National Leader and other Leaders of his party, APC, across the 3 Senatorial Districts in Lagos State.
After a successful tenure as the Speaker, he was again re-elected to the same position to lead the 9th Assembly by his colleagues in June 2019.
That opportunity given to him since the beginning of his 4th term in the Assembly has culminated in evidential remodeling and deliberate elevation of the Lagos State House of Assembly into the enduring and enviable institution that is now the reference point to all other 35 States Legislatures in our country, and to some of the Federal Legislative bodies in the West Africa sub-region and Africa as a whole.
His valuable and measurable achievements as the Speaker in the areas of building an enduring legacy institution include the following;
• Total upgrade of the Hallowed Chamber to a more conducive 21st century e-compliant legislative chamber.
• Refurbishment of Principal Officers and Honorable members offices.
• Conversion of the old chamber to a befitting conference hall named after former Governor Lateef Kayode Jakande.
• Provision of conducive and functional committee rooms.
• Construction of a brand new modern staff clinic and Driver’s lounge.
• Establishment of a befitting canteen for Honorable members and staffers.
• Improvements of the ambience of the Assembly environment.
• Regular exposure of Honorable members, administrative staff and speaker’s aides to local and international training and seminars and so many more.
All the above coupled with the quality of laws, resolutions and other oversight functions that the Assembly keeps as traditions are clear testaments to the change a determinedly focused and experienced leader can impart on an organization.
Let me also add that during his tenure and under his leadership as the Chairman, Conference of Speakers of States Legislature in Nigeria, the President granted legal and financial autonomy to State Legislature and the Judiciary.
Even before the signing of this Executive order and subsequently the amended section of the constitution, Lagos State House of Assembly under his leadership has remained a neutral arm of government for the overall benefits of Lagosians.
Out of tremendous respect for the institution brought about by firmness and diplomacy of Mr Speaker, resolutions of the House of Assembly are promptly complied with by the Executive and invitations are promptly honored anytime such is extended to ministries, departments and agencies of government to give account of themselves.
As the 9th Assembly in Lagos State draws to a close in the next few days in an orderly, peaceful and admirable manner due to his able leadership, there is no doubt that both the returning ranking and new members-elect of the House, who will constitute the 10th Assembly will create another history by unanimously re-electing Rt. Hon.(Dr.) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa as the Speaker for a 3rd consecutive term.
Consistency in election and re-election of capable hands in the progressive party by Lagosians since 1999 are some of the reasons that Lagos State has continued to excel in maintaining a robust Executive/Legislative relationship which has snowballed into the sustained level of progress and development being experienced across the State.
The foundations of these were championed and laid by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, when he was opportuned to govern Lagos after the return to democratic practice.
Lagosians should expect nothing but the best from the returning leadership of Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa as he continues to take Lagos State House of Assembly even to greater heights.
