Pesident Bola Tinubu has resolved the leadership crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly, endorsing the return of Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker despite an earlier recommendation for his resignation.
The resolution followed a meeting between Tinubu and all 40 lawmakers at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday.
Tinubu’s decision overruled the recommendations of a panel led by former Osun State Governor, Chief Bisi Akande, and former Ogun State Governor, Olusegun Osoba.
The panel, along with the Governance Advisory Council, had advised that Obasa should step down after being reinstated.
Earlier, the panel had suggested that Mojisola Meranda, who replaced Obasa after his impeachment, resign to allow for his return, with the understanding that he would step down shortly after to balance Lagos’ political structure.
On March 3, 2025, 49 days after Obasa’s removal, Meranda resigned and was re-elected as Deputy Speaker, paving the way for Obasa’s reinstatement. However, contrary to the agreement, Obasa adjourned the Assembly indefinitely and refused to step down.
His impeachment on January 13, 2025, had been spearheaded by 35 lawmakers who accused him of high-handedness, financial misappropriation, and authoritarian leadership.
At Wednesday’s meeting, lawmakers arrived at the Presidential Villa around 2 p.m. in a Coaster bus, while Obasa arrived separately at about 3 p.m. After a closed-door session, a Presidency official, who spoke anonymously, confirmed that Tinubu had resolved the dispute and urged lawmakers to work together.
“Tinubu met the lawmakers behind closed doors. They spoke on their grievances, and the President has resolved the problems. With this development, Obasa will remain Speaker, and all lawmakers have agreed to work with him. They even had a photo session with the President after the meeting,” the source revealed.
While some stakeholders expressed disappointment that the initial agreement was not upheld, the source assured that Tinubu would continue engaging all parties to maintain unity.
“Some stakeholders are naturally displeased that Obasa reneged on the agreement with the Akande panel. I’m sure the President will engage everyone to settle the matter,” the source added.
Additionally, Tinubu directed Obasa to withdraw his lawsuit challenging his impeachment at the Lagos State High Court.
“The President told the lawmakers to allow Obasa to work, and Obasa should also withdraw the case against Meranda and the lawmakers in court. The lawmakers have agreed to this,” another source close to Obasa disclosed.
On Tuesday, Obasa’s lawyer, Chief Fashanu Afolabi (SAN), confirmed that the Speaker had not withdrawn the case despite his reinstatement.
“Because there are some issues that are still pending within the context of notice of allegation. The case of allegation contains reasons for the impeachment, which include high-handedness, fraudulent malpractices, and the rest, and we feel that those issues must be trashed out,” Afolabi told The PUNCH in a telephone interview.
Justice Yetunde Pinheiro of the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja had on Monday adjourned the hearing of Obasa’s suit to March 17, 2025.