President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has allegedly revealed why he stepped into the leadership crisis that rocked the Lagos State House of Assembly, reinstating Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker after his controversial impeachment. According to sources, Tinubu’s decision was driven by concerns over Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s involvement in the impeachment process, which the President saw as an overreach by the executive arm of government.
Why Tinubu Intervened
Sources close to the meeting, held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, revealed that Tinubu was deeply unsettled by the role played by Sanwo-Olu’s administration in Obasa’s removal.
“The President was troubled by the extent to which the Lagos executive influenced the Speaker’s impeachment. He felt it was inappropriate for the governor to dictate who should lead the Assembly,” a source familiar with the discussion disclosed.
The Political Showdown: Obasa’s Fall and Return
The crisis began on January 13, when Obasa was impeached over allegations of corruption and financial mismanagement. His removal was widely hailed as a step toward accountability, and Deputy Speaker Mojisola Meranda was installed as his replacement.
However, behind the scenes, powerful figures within the APC including Tinubu pushed for Obasa’s reinstatement. By March 3, after intense lobbying and pressure from party leaders, Obasa was controversially returned to his position, while Meranda was forced to step down. To pacify her supporters, she was later offered the Deputy Speaker role, though many lawmakers remained bitter about what they saw as undue interference from Tinubu.
Drama at the Presidential Meeting
The meeting at the Presidential Villa was anything but smooth. Lawmakers expected a discussion, but Tinubu first turned his attention to Obasa’s lateness, scolding him for his lack of punctuality.
“The Speaker was lambasted for coming late as always. The President spent the first 10 minutes dressing him down,” a source revealed.
Despite his rebuke, Tinubu made it clear that Obasa must be reinstated, urging lawmakers to accept the decision for the sake of unity. He also directed Obasa to withdraw all court cases challenging his impeachment, effectively shutting down any legal opposition to his return.
Unfinished Business: The House Clerk Dispute
While Tinubu ruled that all principal officers and committee chairmen would retain their positions, one key issue remained unresolved: the House Clerk position. Lawmakers were divided between Olalekan Onafeko, favored by Obasa and Taiwo Ottun, preferred by the majority of lawmakers
Rather than making a ruling, Tinubu advised that the courts should decide the matter, leaving this final piece of the puzzle up in the air.
Conclusion: A Show of Power or a Push for Stability?
President Tinubu’s intervention has once again highlighted his unmatched influence over Lagos politics. It draws attention to the deep-rooted influence of godfatherism and political strongholds in Nigerian politics. His ability to override an impeachment decision and dictate the Assembly’s leadership reflects the power that political elites wield behind the scenes.
While the impact of this influence still remains debatable. This episode highlights a recurring challenge in Nigerian governance where loyalty to political godfathers often outweighs democratic principles, leaving elected officials beholden to the will of a few rather than the electorate. As long as these power dynamics persist, true democracy and institutional independence in Nigeria’s political landscape may very well remain elusive.
