Lawmakers in the Lagos State House of Assembly have revealed why they sacked Mudashiru Obasa as their Speaker on Monday.

The lawmakers spoke after the plenary on Monday during which they also elected Hon. Mojisola Meranda as Obasa’s replacement.

The representative of Epe 1 Constituency, Abiodun Tobun, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, said: “The Lagos State House of Assembly declared its decision to impeach Speaker Mudashiru Obasa.

“The impeachment was a unanimous decision by the lawmakers.

“The lawmakers agreed to take this step to safeguard our image and Lagos State.

“Change is inevitable, and we felt it was time for a new direction.

“All standing committees and principal office positions have been dissolved.

“We are determined to work together to elevate the Assembly and deliver on our responsibilities to Lagosians.”

Tobun then went on to explain in detail the reason for their decision.

The Rivers High Court has nullified the congresses conducted by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state in 2024.

The court also restrained the state executive committee of the PDP from overseeing the affairs of the party and barred Aaron Chukwuemeka from parading himself as the chairman.

Stephen Jumbo, the presiding judge, gave the order on Monday while ruling on an interlocutory injunction filed by Edwin Woko and Love Otuonye (both lawyers) and two other PDP members. The suit was instituted against Chukwuemeka and nine others.

The petitioners asked the court to declare the local government and ward congresses of the party held in 2024 as null and void.

The congresses, conducted in the 319 wards and 23 LGAs in August 2024, were backed by Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT).

The applicants argued that the congresses were conducted in disregard of an order issued by the court in July 2024, which restrained the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from holding the congresses.

The claimants urged the court to set aside the congresses and restrain Chukwuemeka and members of the state executive committee from acting, representing, or parading themselves as officials of the party in the state.

They also asked the court to declare themselves (the petitioners) as the authentic and subsisting members of the PDP state executive committee and direct the party’s national leadership to recognize and deal with them accordingly.

The judge upheld the applicants’ prayers, nullifying the congresses and restraining Chukwuemeka and other respondents from acting as executives of the party in the state.

The court also recognized the applicants as the authentic and subsisting members of the Rivers State executive committee of the PDP.

• Promo Makes 60 Millionaires, Gifts N200m

Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has distributed over N41.8m in prizes to over 100 lucky customers in its just concluded UBA Legacy Promo series.

The promo which began last year, was specially designed by the bank to celebrate UBA’s rich legacy spanning over 75 years, as well as its long-standing commitment towards rewarding its loyal customers in a grand style.

The campaign, which was opened to several categories of Account holders including Bumper Account holders, Savings account, Kiddies & Teens Account holders as well as Nextgen account holders, also saw lucky customers winning other consolidation prizes including educational grants.

The winners were announced during the Grand Finale draw of the promo which held at the UBA Head-office, Marina, Lagos last Thursday and was witnessed by members journalists and representatives of relevant regulatory bodies including the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), among other stakeholders.

In the Savings Account category, ten loyal customers walked away with N1,000,000 each. The lucky winners are: Olonade Funmilayo, Abdullahi Yunusa, Anibueze Augustine Chidozie, Ibironke Adedayo, Gilbert Godswill Pepple, Ekonmene Daniel Leghemo, Oligbo Francis Azuka, Liafeez Adebowale, Abiodun Bolanle Felicia, and Adamu Bappayo.

When contacted over the phone, one of the winners, Mr. Oligbo Francis Azuka, who won N1,000,000 in the savings account category expressed his surprise and excitement, stating that it was totally unexpected. He was however grateful to the bank for the gesture, adding: “I am deeply grateful and surprised by this reward from UBA. I honestly, didn’t expect this. I really appreciate the fact that UBA recognizes me. I am very grateful,” he stated.

The Bumper Category saw 10 people who emerged winners of N1,000,000 each. They are: Emem Christian Thompson, Lateefat Omotayo Waheed, Victoria Oluwaferanmi Adebusoye, Nkechinyere Agnes Okolo, Ibrahim Rabiu, Hammed Akande Idowu, Modester Chiadikobi Nwoke, Ajisafe Folashade Success, Thelma Ndubisi Enajiyerin, and Sunday Obaje.

20 lucky customers also received N500,000 each. They are: Ojo Goroye Banjo, Sandra Christopher Effiong, Femi Henry Idehen, Rashida Oiza Momohjimoh, Umar Usman, Joshua Chidera Nweke, Racheal Erhieyovwe, and Fatima Muhammed. Others include Ogbonna Edward, Eziuche Goodluck Chinyere, Lydia Bawa, Obiajulu Augustine Agwazia, Sale Barde, and Sikiru Morakinyo; Tajudeen Kareem Opeloyeru, Regina Queen Abeekaa, Isaac M. Ponfa, Mary Amos, Emmanuel Isa, and Amaechi Okoro.

Also in the bumper category another twenty customers got N250,000 each, while 10 lucky customers each won N100,000 each during the live draws.

In the NextGen category, Emmanuel Olakotan Oke, Sharon Oluwafunmilayo Ibitoye, Fortunate Izegboya Ijewemen, Anozie Janerose Chinelo, Maryam Zaharaddeen, Oluwakamikun Faidat Taiwo, Daniel Ayomikun Olawale, Ayomide Goodness Olowodara, Dennis Ogina Gbele, and Ofeoritse Jessica Waya each received N180,000 pocket money for a year.

The Kiddies and Teens category, also saw 20 young customers receiving N200,000 each in educational grants.

UBA’s Group Head, Retail and Digital Banking, Shamsideen Fashola, who spoke at the event, emphasized the significance of the promotion in strengthening the relationship between the bank and its community.

He said, “UBA Legacy Promo is our way of saying thank you to our loyal customers who have trusted us over the years. As we celebrate 75 years of impact, we remain committed to deepening financial inclusion and providing innovative and customer-focused products and services. Our goal is to make banking more rewarding and life-changing, improving lives and building stronger communities.”

Over the past six months, from July till December 2024, UBA has through a series of draws; cluster, monthly, and quarterly draws, rewarded over 600 customers with prizes totaling more than ₦200 million. This remarkable initiative has created over 60 millionaires, highlighting the bank’s commitment to enriching the lives of its customers and promoting savings culture, as UBA continues to reaffirm its dedication to launching more impactful initiatives, ensuring customer satisfaction and financial well-being remain at the forefront of its operations.

United Bank for Africa is one of the largest employers in the financial sector on the African continent, with 25,000 employees group wide and serving over 45 million customers globally. Operating in twenty African countries and the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France and the United Arab Emirates, UBA provides retail, commercial and institutional banking services, leading financial inclusion and implementing cutting edge technology.