Group criticizes Sahara Reporters on ‘malicious publications’ against Lagos Speaker, Obasa
By Abolaji Adebayo
A socio-political group based in Lagos, the South West Progressive Youth and People’s Movement, has castigated an online news medium, Sahara reporters for publishing series of publications against the Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, stating that the ‘malicious publications’ were aimed at undermining the achievements of the speaker and drawing back the legislative functions in the state.
In a statement signed by the its national coordinator and projects director, Hon. Taiwo Ajayi, the group accused Sahara Reporters of running series of “falsehood” to tarnish Obasa’s image in public.
It stated that the medium, owned by a journalist-cum-politician, Omoyele Sowore, had accused Obasa of land grabbing in the neighbouring Ogun State and running the Lagos Assembly with impunity.
It stated that though the Speaker had defended with facts each of the publications done by Sahara Reporters to impugn his personality, it is important that the group also give it’s support, owing to its knowledge of the person of Obasa, who it said is “a compassionate gentleman, a team player, and politician with an impeccable record of integrity.”
“Sahara Reporters is fast becoming known for fallacious, malicious and mendacious allegations against perceived political enemies or those opposed to its owners infantile political ideologies. But for open minded members of the public who might be blackmailed into believing the falsehoods it regularly propagate about the Speaker, we found it expedient to address the issues as nothing but conjectures found only in the figment of Sahara Reporters imagination.”
Ajayi said the group also gathered that some people who are enemies of progress of the state are also formulating all sorts of lies to discredit Obasa’s outstanding achievements since 1999 till date.
“It is an open fact that Obasa’s works are speaking for him. He is well loved and revered by his constituents and colleagues in the House, a sign that he is sensitive to his primary duties of providing massively dividends of democracy through robust lawmaking,” Taiwo said, adding that the medium “took its malice beyond reason when it also alleged in its publications that the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has also given Obasa the backing to run the state Assembly as he wishes, accounting to nobody.”
Ajayi, whose group is in the forefront of vigorous campaign for a Yoruba presidency in 2023, added:
“Obasa has brought glory and honour to Lagos State by being the first to hold the exalted position of the speaker of speakers of the 36 other houses of assemblies, a no mean feat.
“He has continued to serve the state passionately treating everyone with equality,” posits
“We are using this medium to advise the naysayers to leave Lagos alone and mind their business.
“Lagos is the centre of excellence, role model to others in Nigeria, the three arms of government are united.
“Rt. (Hon) Mudashiru Obasa* is committed to the agenda of moving Lagos to greater heights.”
