In a high-stakes political resolution, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and key leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have brokered an agreement regarding the leadership crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly, ensuring a soft landing for the removed Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, and a realignment of political power within the state.
Despite ongoing court proceedings challenging his removal, Obasa’s ousting remains final, as the laws governing the election and removal of a Speaker leave little room for reversal.
However, as part of the political settlement, his removal will be officially reclassified as a resignation, providing him with a dignified exit.
This decision mirrors the 2009 case of Hon. Funmi Tejuosho, a former Deputy Speaker whose removal was similarly adjusted to resignation.
President Tinubu’s intervention followed weeks of negotiations and consultations with party stalwarts.
A prominent South-West elder statesman, whose identity was not disclosed, also appealed to the President to resolve the matter as a birthday gift, prompting deeper consideration of the political ramifications.
Sources revealed that nearly all key stakeholders who weighed in on the Assembly crisis expressed strong disapproval of Obasa’s leadership.
His tenure, which lasted over nine years, was marked by internal dissent, culminating in 37 out of 39 lawmakers voting for his removal.
While the President was reportedly caught off guard by the sudden impeachment, he did not attempt to reinstate Obasa, recognizing that the Speaker had lost the trust of his colleagues and the state’s political elite.
With Obasa’s fate sealed, attention shifted to the current Speaker, Hon. Mojisola Meranda.
Despite Tinubu’s commitment to increasing women’s representation in politics, concerns over regional power imbalance necessitated her resignation.
Currently, the Lagos political structure stands as follows:
With two key positions already occupied by Lagos Central and East, there was pressure to ensure Lagos West was not marginalized, particularly amid an Assembly leadership crisis.
Concerned about perceived gender bias, Tinubu reportedly explored the possibility of appointing another female Speaker from Lagos West.
However, no immediate alternative was identified, making Meranda’s resignation inevitable.
The crisis initially put the APC leadership in a delicate position, as Tinubu was displeased at being left uninformed about Obasa’s impeachment.
However, sources clarified that the President’s frustration was not out of personal loyalty to Obasa but rather the lack of political coordination in handling the matter.
With the crisis now managed, Tinubu has shifted focus to stabilizing party leadership in Lagos and maintaining unity ahead of future political contests.
The consensus reached ensures that all three senatorial districts are fairly represented, preventing future disputes over regional marginalization.
By brokering this agreement, President Tinubu has reinforced party discipline and regional balance, signaling that no single politician is indispensable.
While Obasa’s era as Speaker is over, the political restructuring in Lagos marks a significant recalibration of power within the APC.