The political landscape in Lagos has been rocked by a fresh wave of controversy as a member of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Muraina Akanbi Taiwo, has firmly rejected President Bola Tinubu’s directive to reinstate impeached Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa.
The GAC, which serves as the apex decision-making body within the Lagos APC, has made it clear that Obasa’s removal was final and in the best interest of governance in the state.
Reports from Peoples Gazette on Sunday revealed that President Tinubu had instructed lawmakers to begin the process of reinstating Obasa, who was removed on January 13, 2025, over allegations of misconduct, abuse of office, and financial mismanagement.
Despite this presidential intervention, a faction within the Lagos APC remains resolute in opposing Obasa’s return. He was swiftly replaced by former Deputy Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, a move that lawmakers insist was necessary to restore integrity to the Assembly.
In a statement sent to Peoples Gazette on Wednesday, Taiwo emphasized that while loyalty to Tinubu and the APC leadership remains unwavering, the principles of democracy must not be sacrificed.
“Loyalty to Mr. President, the cause, and the leadership of the party remains paramount, but democracy must take its course,” Taiwo asserted.
Quoting the Qur’an, he further reflected on the transient nature of power:
> “As the Qur’an states in Surah Al-Imran (3:26): Say, O Allah, Owner of Sovereignty, You give sovereignty to whom You will and take sovereignty away from whom You will. You honor whom You will and humble whom You will. In Your hand all is good. Indeed, You are over all things competent.”
Taiwo stressed that Obasa’s removal was not only long overdue but also crucial for the effective functioning of the Assembly. According to him, lawmakers had repeatedly voiced their frustrations over Obasa’s leadership style, which they claimed hindered their legislative duties.
Taiwo provided insights into the gravity of the grievances that led to Obasa’s impeachment, revealing that the decision was neither impulsive nor politically motivated but rather a response to widespread dissatisfaction.
> “Having attended two meetings where members spoke openly and emotionally, I witnessed firsthand the weight of their grievances. They detailed the enormous challenges they faced under the former speaker—challenges that drained their motivation and hindered their performance as lawmakers.”
Despite their firm stance, reports indicate that Lagos lawmakers recently apologized to President Tinubu for not consulting party leadership before initiating Obasa’s impeachment. This came after a GAC meeting on Monday night at the Lagos House, Marina, which was attended by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat.
Sources at the meeting disclosed that lawmakers were pressured into writing two apology letters to the President. One letter acknowledged their failure to consult party leaders before removing Obasa, while the second—signed by 17 out of 20 lawmakers from Lagos West—affirmed their support for Speaker Mojisola Meranda and their decision to disregard the previous zoning arrangement.
Despite these apologies, tensions remain high as the APC leadership in Lagos is visibly divided over the issue. While some GAC members support Tinubu’s directive, others see it as an overreach that undermines legislative independence.
A source at the meeting revealed:
> “The President’s directive seems to be an attempt to prevent a larger crisis in the state. However, the lawmakers believe reinstating Obasa would be counterproductive and are standing their ground.”
With the Lagos APC now at a crossroads, the unfolding political drama is far from over. Will Tinubu’s influence sway the lawmakers, or will the state Assembly uphold its decision? The coming weeks will determine the future of Lagos’ legislative leadership—and possibly the balance of power within the APC.
PIONEER NEWS 