Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu for his conspicuous silence amid the deepening leadership crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly. Atiku described Tinubu’s lack of response as a tacit endorsement of anti-democratic maneuvers aimed at subverting the will of lawmakers.
In a statement issued on Thursday by his media aide, Paul Ibe, Atiku condemned what he termed as “backdoor tactics” and the use of state-backed security forces to reinstate former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, who was overwhelmingly voted out by the majority of Assembly members.
SaharaReporters earlier revealed how Obasa, emboldened by powerful political backers, stormed the Assembly complex on Thursday, defiantly insisting he remained Speaker despite fierce opposition from the majority of lawmakers. The embattled politician’s insistence on clinging to power has raised concerns over the extent of executive interference in legislative affairs.
Atiku emphasized that Tinubu’s refusal to intervene in the crisis casts doubt on his commitment to democratic principles. His concerns echo recent allegations by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, who accused the president of engaging in selective political control to strengthen his grip on power.
“Despite his undisputed influence over Lagos politics, Tinubu has remained conspicuously silent on this crisis. His refusal to address the matter suggests a tacit endorsement of anti-democratic maneuvers aimed at imposing his preferred candidate against the overwhelming will of Assembly members,” Atiku stated.
The former vice president further lamented how Lagos politics, under Tinubu’s watch, has transformed into a system where political positions are determined not by merit but by unwavering loyalty to the ruling political hierarchy. He likened the ongoing power struggle to past incidents where dissenting voices were crushed through coercion and intimidation.
Atiku accused Tinubu of eroding the foundational values of Lagos politics, turning it into a battleground between the “noble ideals of Omoluabi—integrity, fairness, and public service—and the crass, strong-arm tactics of ‘Area Boy’ politics, where power is retained through coercion rather than consensus.”
He urged the president to publicly denounce any attempts to undermine democracy in Lagos and ensure that due process is upheld.
“Nigeria’s democracy was hard-fought and must not be undermined by those who should be its foremost guardians. We urge all well-meaning Nigerians to remain vigilant and resolute in defending the sanctity of our democratic institutions,” he said.
Meanwhile, Obasa continues to insist that his impeachment was unconstitutional, arguing that due process was not followed. Addressing journalists after presiding over a controversial plenary session attended by only four lawmakers, he dismissed the claims of his removal as baseless.
“I have told you repeatedly—I have never been removed. There’s nothing like impeachment. So, I don’t know what you are saying. I have said this openly: the impeachment, removal, or whatever was undemocratic and unconstitutional. To achieve that, you must follow due process,” Obasa asserted.
He, however, maintained that he was not opposed to a legitimate removal process but emphasized the need for fairness.
“All my colleagues have always been my brothers. They have been loyal and dedicated, with a strong commitment to serving the people of Lagos,” he added.
Democracy at a Crossroads
As the political drama unfolds, concerns are mounting over the increasing influence of powerful political figures in determining the leadership of legislative institutions. Critics argue that Tinubu’s silence could embolden further anti-democratic actions, raising broader questions about the future of democratic governance in Nigeria.
With tensions still running high, all eyes remain on how the crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly will be resolved—and whether Tinubu will finally break his silence.
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