- Governance Advisory Council (GAC) members claimed Mudashiru Obasa’s removal as Speaker was illegal
- GAC emphasised the importance of constitutional and political adherence, with calls for a voluntary resignation from Obasa if necessary
- Lagos State House of Assembly members visited President Tinubu about the leadership crisis
Some Lagos State House of Assembly members have reportedly gone to Abuja for talks with President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday, February 5 about the leadership crisis in the assembly.
Members of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) had argued that Mudashiru Obasa’s removal as Speaker on January 13, 2025, was illegal and a sign of disrespect to the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos.
Sources within the GAC told Punch that the lawmakers had been instructed to write to the APC’s national leader, President Tinubu, to formally communicate their position on the matter.
Legislators consider conditional Obasa’s return
The legislators are considering allowing Obasa to return to the House, where he could voluntarily resign from his position.
This decision emerged after a lengthy meeting of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) at the Governor’s Lodge in Marina, Lagos, on Monday, which continued into Tuesday, February 4.
Chief Muraina Taiwo, a member of the GAC, confirmed that the council had shared the party’s stance with the lawmakers but noted that they had already decided to retain Mojisola Meranda as Speaker.
Meranda, a former Deputy Speaker, was unanimously elected Speaker following Obasa’s removal.
Taiwo stresses importance of informing Tinubu about Obasa's removal
Taiwo emphasised that the lawmakers should allow Obasa to return to the House, where he could choose to resign voluntarily.
He added that the lawmakers would express their concerns in a letter to the President.
He said, “I’m aware that the GAC told them the mind of the party and the honourable members said they had made up their mind and they stand by it.
Taiwo reiterated that while the lawmakers could not compel Obasa to step down, they felt it was important to inform Tinubu of their decision, as they continue to regard him as their leader.
“Let us wait and see between now and tomorrow (today) or thereafter maybe by the time they come back from Abuja, we know the way forward.”
GAC defends Obasa’s position
He further said, “The directive of the leadership is that they should allow him to continue his work because the leadership has considered that if he has committed any visible offence, we would have known, and they have not reported him before. What they did is not right politically and constitutionally.”
GAC, the highest decision-making body of the APC in Lagos, held significant influence in the state government, including the State Assembly.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, and other key political figures, including the leadership of the House of Assembly, attended the meeting on Monday.
DSS allegedly drills Lagos lawmakers over Obasa's impeachment
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Department of State Services questioned several Lagos lawmakers regarding the removal of former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa.
Mudashiru Obasa, removed in January over misconduct allegations, insisted his ousting was unconstitutional and politically motivated, prompting the DSS inquiry.