Politics

Lagos Assembly Crisis: Tinubu Takes Final Decision After Meeting With Obasa, Other Lawmakers

Published

1 week ago

March 13, 2025

Lagos Assembly Crisis: Tinubu Takes Final Decision After Meeting With Obasa, Other Lawmakers

Tinubu has decided on the Lagos Assembly crisis after meeting with Obasa and other lawmakers.

Newsone Nigeria reports that President Bola Tinubu has resolved the leadership crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly, backing the return of Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker, despite an earlier recommendation for his resignation.

This online news platform understands that the resolution came after a meeting on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, between President Tinubu and all 40 Lagos Assembly lawmakers at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

President Tinubu’s decision contradicts the recommendations of a panel he had set up to mediate the crisis.

The Bisi Akande and Gbenga Daniel-led panel along with the leadership of the Governance Advisory Council had advised that Obasa should step down after being reinstated. The panel initially recommended that Mojisola Meranda resign as Speaker to allow for Obasa’s return with the understanding that he would also resign shortly after, making way for a new Speaker from Lagos West to balance the state’s political structure.

49 days after Obasa’s impeachment, Meranda resigned on March 3, 2025, and was re-elected as Deputy Speaker. Obasa was then reinstated as Speaker in line with the agreement.

However, contrary to the deal, Obasa adjourned the Assembly indefinitely and refused to resign as expected. This came after he had been removed by 35 lawmakers, who accused him of high-handedness, financial misappropriation, and authoritarian leadership. He was impeached on January 13, 2025.

Meranda replaced him but later resigned under pressure from party leaders.

The Lagos Assembly lawmakers arrived at the Presidential Villa in Abuja in a Coaster bus around 2 pm on Wednesday, after which security officials ushered them into the President’s office complex. Meranda arrived with her colleagues, while Obasa arrived separately at about 3 pm.

The meeting between President Tinubu and Lagos Assembly lawmakers was held behind closed doors. A Presidency official, who spoke anonymously for lack of authorization, told PUNCH that President Tinubu had brokered peace among the warring factions, asking members to work with Obasa to ensure stability in the Assembly and the state.

“Tinubu met the lawmakers behind closed doors. They spoke on their grievances and the President has resolved the problems.

“With the development, Obasa will stay as Speaker. His position is no longer threatened. All the lawmakers have agreed to work with him.

“They all had a photo session with the President after the meeting. It went well,” the source said.

While some Lagos stakeholders are displeased that the original agreement was not upheld, the source assured that the President would engage all aggrieved parties to maintain unity.

“Some stakeholders are naturally displeased Obasa reneged on the agreement with the Akande panel. I’m sure the President would engage everyone to settle the matter,” the source added.

Another source close to Obasa revealed that Tinubu also directed the Speaker 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,” the source said.