Lagos Assembly Crisis: Tinubu Backs Obasa, Overrides Resignation Deal
President Bola Tinubu has intervened in the leadership crisis within the Lagos State House of Assembly, endorsing Mudashiru Obasa to retain his position as Speaker despite an earlier recommendation for his resignation.
Tinubu’s decision followed a meeting on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja with all 40 lawmakers from the Assembly.
This move contradicts the recommendations of a panel led by former Osun State Governor, Chief Bisi Akande, and former Ogun State Governor, Chief Gbenga Daniel, alongside the Governance Advisory Council.
The panel had advised that Obasa should step down after being reinstated.
The panel had initially recommended that Mojisola Meranda resign as Speaker to facilitate Obasa’s return, with an understanding that he would also step down soon after to allow a new Speaker from Lagos West to emerge, ensuring political balance in the state.
On March 3, 49 days after Obasa’s impeachment, Meranda resigned and was re-elected as Deputy Speaker, while Obasa was reinstated as Speaker in line with the agreement.
However, Obasa did not adhere to the arrangement, adjourning the Assembly indefinitely and refusing to resign as expected.
His removal on January 13 was supported by 35 lawmakers who accused him of high-handedness, financial misappropriation, and authoritarian leadership.
Meranda had replaced him but later stepped down under pressure from party leaders.
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On Wednesday, lawmakers arrived at the Presidential Villa in a Coaster bus around 2 pm before being ushered into the President’s office.
Meranda joined her colleagues, while Obasa arrived separately at about 3 pm.
A Presidency official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that Tinubu had resolved the dispute and urged lawmakers to support Obasa to maintain stability in the Assembly and the state.
“Tinubu met the lawmakers behind closed doors. They spoke on their grievances and the President has resolved the problems. With the development, Obasa will stay as Speaker. His position is no longer threatened. All the lawmakers have agreed to work with him. They all had a photo session with the President after the meeting. It went well,” the source said.
Despite concerns among some Lagos stakeholders about the abandoned agreement, the source assured that Tinubu would address any lingering dissatisfaction.
“Some stakeholders are naturally displeased Obasa reneged on the agreement with the Akande panel. I’m sure the President would engage everyone to settle the matter,” the source added.
A separate source close to Obasa disclosed that Tinubu instructed him to withdraw his lawsuit challenging his impeachment at the Lagos State High Court.
“The President told the lawmakers to allow Obasa to work, and Obasa should also withdraw the case against Meranda and the lawmakers in court. The lawmakers have agreed to this,” the source said.
On Tuesday, Obasa’s lawyer, Chief Fashanu Afolabi (SAN), told The PUNCH that the Speaker had not withdrawn the case despite being reinstated.
“Because there are some issues that are still pending within the context of notice of allegation. The case of allegation contains reasons for the impeachment which include highhandedness, fraudulent malpractices and the rest and we feel that those issues must be trashed out,” he said in a telephone interview.
Justice Yetunde Pinheiro of the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja has adjourned the hearing of Obasa’s suit to March 17.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
