The political turmoil in Lagos State has taken a dramatic turn as the embattled former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has dragged the legislative body and its new leadership to court, challenging his removal from office.
Obasa, who was ousted in absentia on January 13, 2025, by 32 out of the 40 lawmakers, has filed a suit at the Ikeja Division of the Lagos State High Court, seeking to overturn his impeachment and regain his position. His legal team, led by Chief Afolabi Fashanu, SAN, is also pushing for an accelerated hearing of the case, arguing that the legislative activities of the state should not be stalled by an unlawful process.
Obasa’s removal has sparked intense debate within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), particularly among members of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), the party’s highest decision-making body in the state. The controversy has deepened, with some party chieftains questioning the legality of the move, especially since Obasa was reportedly in the United States when the Assembly convened to impeach him. President Bola Tinubu himself has described the action as a “coup”, further fueling speculation of political infighting within the Lagos APC.
In his suit, Obasa is contesting the constitutionality of the proceedings that led to his removal, specifically challenging the House’s authority to convene and impeach him during recess without his directive as Speaker. The motion, filed on February 12, 2025, names the Lagos State House of Assembly and its newly installed Speaker, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, as defendants.
His legal arguments rest on multiple provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Standing Orders of the Lagos State House of Assembly, which he claims were grossly violated during his impeachment. He is seeking:
A court order for an expedited hearing of his case.
A restriction on the Assembly’s current leadership, questioning the legality of its continued sessions.
An abridgment of response time for the defendants, limiting them to seven days to file their defense.
A three-day timeframe for his legal team to respond to any counterarguments.
Obasa contends that the case is of immense public interest, and a swift judicial intervention is necessary to prevent a constitutional crisis in Lagos State.
The ongoing legal battle underscores the deepening power struggle within the Lagos political establishment. Obasa, a longstanding ally of Tinubu and a dominant figure in the Lagos political landscape, now finds himself at odds with factions within the APC.
Political analysts believe this case could set a critical legal precedent regarding the power dynamics between the executive and legislative arms in the state. If the court rules in Obasa’s favor, it could invalidate the current Assembly leadership and trigger a new wave of political realignments.
As the case unfolds, the political future of Mudashiru Obasa hangs in the balance. Will the courts reinstate him, or will this legal battle mark the end of his dominance in Lagos politics? One thing is certain: the Lagos Assembly power tussle is far from over.
All eyes are now on the Lagos High Court as it prepares to hear what could be one of the most consequential political lawsuits in the state’s history.
PIONEER NEWS 