Former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has completely lost out in the bid to return to his former post as his fate has now been conclusively sealed, Iwitnesslive can report.
Sources within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) reliably informed our correspondent that Obasa had relied on the patronage of some influential figures within the state, especially the family of President Bola Tinubu, in his bid to regain his seat.
Obasa was removed in absentia on January 13, 2025, by 32 out of 40 Assembly members over allegations of financial misappropriation, misconduct, and high-handedness. He was replaced by his former deputy, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, as the substantive Speaker.
Multiple sources confirmed that First Lady Senator Remi Tinubu and President’s son Seyi Tinubu made a feeble attempt to prevail on Tinubu to reinstate Obasa, realising that the President actually approved Obasa’s removal.
“It is true that some influential figures close to the President interceded on behalf of Obasa. He enisted particularly the support of the First Lady and Seyi Tinubu, claiming that he had been fiercely loyal to the First Family. There were attempt to convince Tinubu to change his stance on the matter, but they realised it was too late. The forces against Obasa kept mounting because of the arrogance he has continued to display. The last straw was the news that surfaced on Sunday suggesting that the President had ordered then House to reinstate the former Speaker. The president and even his son were embarrassed by the report, which they believed emanated from the Obasa’s camp,” the source said.
There was a palpitation within the political space in Lagos when the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) of the Lagos APC convened an emergency meeting on Monday at the Lagos House, Marina—the official residence of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
It was initially thought the meeting was related to a rumour of an order from the President asking that Obasa be reinstated but it turned out to centre on addressing the issue around zoning.
Some elements within the party were allegedly making attempt to replace the new Speaker,t Meranda, on the grounds that the Speaker and the Governor should not come from the same zone, in order to keep the position within Lagos West. However, this proposal did not gain support, and Meranda retained her position.
During the lengthy meeting, chaired by Pa Tajudeen Olusi, most GAC members and Assembly lawmakers voiced strong support for Meranda’s leadership. Lawmakers from Lagos West, representing about 20 members, rejected the proposal to shift the Speakership to their region, thereby solidifying Meranda’s position.
Despite Obasa enjoying backing from influential members of the Tinubu family and caucus, the overall decision by the Assembly and the GAC was clear. Meranda’s retention as Speaker was celebrated by lawmakers and Assembly staff, signaling a firm stance in the current power structure within Lagos politics.
