President Bola Tinubu has intervened in the leadership crisis rocking the Lagos State House of Assembly, endorsing the return of Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker, despite an earlier recommendation for his resignation.
According to a report by The PUNCH, the resolution followed a closed-door meeting on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, between Tinubu and all 40 Lagos lawmakers at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Tinubu’s Decision Contradicts Mediation Panel’s Recommendation
The President’s decision to back Obasa directly contradicts the recommendation of a panel set up to mediate the crisis. The panel, led by former Osun State Governor Chief Bisi Akande and former Ogun State Governor Chief Gbenga Daniel, along with the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), had advised that Obasa should step down shortly after being reinstated.
On January 13, 2025, 35 lawmakers voted to impeach Obasa over allegations of high-handedness, financial misappropriation, and authoritarian leadership. Following his removal, Mojisola Meranda was elected as Speaker. However, the panel later recommended that Meranda resign to facilitate Obasa’s return, with the understanding that Obasa would also step down shortly afterward to allow a new Speaker from Lagos West to balance the state’s political structure.
On March 3, 2025, Meranda resigned and was re-elected as Deputy Speaker, paving the way for Obasa’s reinstatement. However, contrary to the agreement, Obasa adjourned the Assembly indefinitely and refused to resign.
Tinubu’s Intervention and Conditions for Peace
The PUNCH reports that during the Wednesday meeting, which began around 2 PM, the lawmakers arrived at the Presidential Villa in a Coaster bus and were ushered into the President’s office complex. While Meranda arrived with the lawmakers, Obasa came separately at about 3 PM.
According to a Presidency official, who spoke anonymously, Tinubu urged all lawmakers to work with Obasa for the sake of 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, and all lawmakers have agreed to work with him,” the source told The PUNCH.
After the meeting, the lawmakers reportedly had a photo session with the President, signaling a public display of unity.
Obasa to Withdraw Lawsuit Against Lawmakers
As part of the peace agreement, Tinubu also directed Obasa 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,” a source close to Obasa revealed.
On Tuesday, Obasa’s lawyer, Chief Fashanu Afolabi (SAN), confirmed to The PUNCH that the lawsuit had not yet been withdrawn despite Obasa’s reinstatement. He argued that the allegations against Obasa, including fraudulent malpractices and high-handedness, must still be addressed in court.
Justice Yetunde Pinheiro of the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja has adjourned the hearing of Obasa’s case until March 17, 2025.
Despite some Lagos stakeholders expressing concerns over the abandonment of the initial agreement, sources indicate that Tinubu is committed to engaging all aggrieved parties to maintain peace and unity in the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Credit: The PUNCH
