Controversy has marred President Tinubu’s alleged order for Obasa’s reinstatement.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that President Bola Tinubu has opened pressure on members of the Lagos State House of Assembly to allow the return of Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker, people familiar with the development have told Peoples Gazette, three weeks after an impeachment that sent shockwaves through the nation’s commercial centre.
The Nigerian leader said this weekend that lawmakers should be prepared to let Mr Obasa return because the political price for his removal could potentially outweigh the benefits of punishing his excesses, which bordered largely on corruption and abuse of office, two people said. All but two of the 40-member legislature are members of the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Since January 13, when Ms Meranda was inaugurated as Speaker, she has not been allowed to move into the official residence along Joel Ogunnaike, Ikeja G.R.A. The Gazette was told that Mr Obasa, who was in the United States during his impeachment, went directly to the Speaker’s Lodge when he landed in Abuja from Atlanta and later triumphantly returned to Lagos. Upon his return, he denounced his impeachment as illegal and vowed to remain in office.
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“He said they should let him enter the official lodge to remove his personal belongings,” a source said. “But he has refused to vacate the place, and Madam Speaker has been too afraid to take over from her.”
It was unclear what influence Remi Tinubu had on her husband’s decision to push lawmakers to reinstate Mr Obasa. This came days after The Gazette reported that the first lady stopped the anti-corruption agency EFCC from arresting the embattled politician. However, she said an investigation into his use of public funds in Lagos may proceed.
Mr Tinubu’s move to reinstate Mr Obasa should expand fissures within the Lagos political circles, but the president’s grip on the state’s politics meant no lawmaker would risk being seen as reluctant to follow his directive, a source said.
“Look, some lawmakers are very angry that the president decided to humiliate them like this,” our source said. “But they don’t want to lead any resistance against the president, who is also the party’s leader.”
Reacting to the development, Ttyto of Lagos wrote as follows, “that the prospect of former Speaker Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa reclaiming a prime political position in Lagos State is not just audacious; it is a slap on the faces of the genuine sons and daughters of this great city, Lagos State. It sends a resounding message of disrespect to the current Governor, HE Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Deputy Governor, HE (Dr.) Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, the stakeholders, and the decision-makers who tirelessly work towards the betterment of our vibrant metropolis.
If Rt. Hon. Mojisola Meranda, the current Speaker of the 10th Assembly, were to resign or step down, it would not merely be an internal political maneuver. Instead, it would signal a grave error in judgment, that undermines the integrity of the state leadership. How are we going to describe the democratic principles the state upholds? Such a move would surely bring embarrassment to the people of Lagos, who place their faith in their elected representatives.
The potential resurgence of Obasa to the number three political seat in the state raises eyebrows. It’s not only disrespect the leadership of the sitting governor but also questions the value assigned to the political traditions and norms of the state. Such an eventuality might be viewed as a humiliation to the royal fathers of Lagos—The Eleko of Eko, Oba Rilwan Akiolu; Oba Saheed Elegushi; Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan of Oniruland; Oba Saliu Babatunde of Oworo Kingdom; and the countless others who have devoted their lives to upholding the dignity and heritage of the great state.
Lagos is not just any city; it is a melting pot of cultures, possibilities, and legacies. For the sons and daughters of the state to exhibit any disloyalty by allowing this to happen would be a disservice to the very essence of Lagos. It would be a clear disregard for those who have historically occupied positions of power, as well as for the traditions they represent. It would be a blow to Lagos’ identity and a betrayal of the citizens who aspire to build a brighter future for the metropolis.
The consideration and implications of such a power shift must be vetted carefully. What does it say about the political landscape? Are we ready to accept a return to the past over the potential for progress? This situation calls for a collective reflection among the true citizens of Lagos, not just the political gladiators. We must stand firm against decisions that threaten the foundational principles of equity, respect, and integrity that the Lagos State has come to be known for.
Ultimately, if the resurgence allows Obasa’s return, the risks undermine not only the office of the speakership but also the moral fabric of Lagos governance. True-Lagosians deserve better, not just for themselves but for the heritage they represent.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that Ttyto of Lagos’s reaction marks a significant controversy which would mar the Assembly and the entire Lagos APC Leadership in the weeks to come.
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