On Monday, members of the Lagos State House of Assembly apologized to President Bola Tinubu for initiating the impeachment process against former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, SaharaReporters has learned.
This apology followed a directive from the leadership of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) of the Lagos All Progressives Congress (APC), which convened an emergency meeting with lawmakers at the Lagos House, Marina on Monday night. The GAC is the highest decision-making body within the Lagos APC.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat were also present at the meeting.
A source revealed that President Tinubu was dissatisfied with the impeachment move and insisted that it be reversed. Some GAC members also expressed frustration, claiming they were not consulted prior to Obasa’s removal, which led them to support the President’s directive for his reinstatement.
The source further explained that the lawmakers were instructed to write two apology letters to the President.
“The GAC members, after some disagreements among themselves, directed the lawmakers to write two apology letters to the President. It’s clear the lawmakers didn’t want Obasa reinstated, but it seems the President strongly desires it. GAC members are also divided on the issue,” the source said.
“I believe the President made this decision not just for the reasons he provided, but to prevent a potential crisis in the state. The President also wants to reinstate Obasa to curb the excesses of the lawmakers, who removed him without consulting key party leaders.”
The lawmakers quickly wrote two letters. The first letter apologized for the hasty decision to impeach Obasa without consulting party leaders. In the letter, they also promised to change Obasa’s removal to a resignation. The second letter, signed by lawmakers from Lagos West, acknowledged Mojisola Meranda as the new Speaker and indicated that they would disregard the zoning formula, allowing her to finish her term. Out of the 20 lawmakers from Lagos West, 17 signed this letter.
Obasa had been removed on January 13, 2025, by a majority vote of the Assembly over allegations of misconduct, abuse of office, and financial mismanagement. He was replaced by former Deputy Speaker Mojisola Meranda.
Earlier reports indicated that the situation had caused a rift within the party leadership, especially after two GAC members, Senator Anthony Adefuye and Chief Muraina Taiwo, openly criticized Obasa’s removal, calling it illegal and a sign of disrespect for party leadership. However, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro quickly dismissed their objections as childish and urged others not to make rash public statements.
The Peoples Gazette reported on Sunday that President Tinubu had instructed the Assembly to prepare for Obasa’s reinstatement. A senior Lagos politician confirmed, saying, “The president has instructed that we begin preparing for his return. Obasa will spend only a short time before resigning on his terms, as he deserves a soft landing because of the political consequences of letting this matter linger.”
Further discussions are expected in upcoming GAC and APC stakeholder meetings regarding the President’s response to the apology letters.
A lawmaker informed SaharaReporters that Governor Sanwo-Olu might oppose Obasa’s reinstatement, in line with the President’s directive to temporarily return him to his former role. However, the Governor doesn’t want to openly challenge the President’s authority.
“Sanwo-Olu’s resistance is more covert. For example, he met with Mandate members on Sunday, where he was candid about the President’s stance. He also met with some lawmakers to encourage them to oppose Obasa’s return as Speaker,” the source added.
Meanwhile, there is growing unrest among those opposed to the President’s order.
“They are uncomfortable with the directive and are working hard to sabotage it by any means necessary,” the source said. “A political protest has already begun on Lagos Island, where the new Speaker, Meranda, is from. The protest is backed by influential figures in Lagos, and they want to maintain the status quo.”
BY SaharaReporters