The removal of Mudasiru Obasa as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly has triggered a major crisis within the political structure of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, exposing deep divisions within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State.
Obasa’s ouster on January 13, executed by 36 lawmakers over allegations of misconduct, abuse of office, and financial mismanagement, has sent shockwaves through Tinubu’s political camp. The action, reportedly carried out without the President’s prior knowledge or approval, has been described by insiders as the first significant rebellion against his long-standing control of Lagos politics.
Obasa’s Removal and the Power Struggle
Following Obasa’s impeachment, Deputy Speaker Mojisola Meranda was immediately sworn in as Speaker, while Chief Whip Mojeed Fatai was elected as the new Deputy Speaker. However, Obasa, who has been Speaker since 2015 and represents Agege Constituency I, insisted upon his return from the United States that he remained the rightful Speaker, deepening the crisis within the party.
The removal has led to cracks within the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), the highest decision-making body of Lagos APC, and has further polarized party members along factional lines.
Tinubu’s Shock and Reaction
Initially, it was widely speculated that President Tinubu had sanctioned Obasa’s removal. However, sources within the Lagos APC and the Presidency confirmed that Tinubu was not consulted before the lawmakers took action. The President was reportedly embarrassed and taken aback that such a monumental political decision was executed without his consent.
In an effort to reassert his authority, Tinubu is said to have directed GAC members to persuade the lawmakers to reinstate Obasa and allow him to resign honorably. However, the lawmakers refused, standing their ground despite pressure from the presidency.
On Monday, the GAC held a marathon meeting at the Governor’s Lodge in Marina, Lagos, where they communicated Tinubu’s directive to the lawmakers. Yet, of the 39 lawmakers present, 37 voted against reinstating Obasa, further defying the President’s wishes.
To manage the fallout, the lawmakers agreed to send a letter of apology to Tinubu explaining why Obasa’s reinstatement was not possible. A six-member GAC delegation was chosen across the three senatorial districts of the state to deliver the letter to the President in Abuja on Wednesday. However, for reasons undisclosed, they were unable to meet with Tinubu, further deepening the standoff.
The 2027 Factor and Factional Battle
A prominent APC chieftain, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the situation as the biggest test Tinubu has faced in Lagos politics, one that may permanently alter the state’s political landscape.
According to him, the crisis is fueled by three major factors:
- The 2027 governorship election.
- The rivalry between the Justice Forum and Mandate Group factions within the Lagos APC.
- The push by Lagos indigenes to dominate the state’s political structure.
Obasa is a member of the Mandate Group, a faction closely aligned with Tinubu, while many lawmakers and GAC members are affiliated with the Justice Forum, which has been vying for greater influence. The source revealed that some Lagos APC heavyweights, particularly Lagos indigenes, orchestrated Obasa’s removal to stifle his rumored governorship ambition ahead of the 2027 elections.
The struggle between the two APC factions has been ongoing for years, with the Justice Forum seeing this as an opportunity to weaken the Mandate Group’s grip on power.
Tinubu’s Authority Under Threat?
The defiance of Tinubu’s directive is unprecedented in Lagos politics. The APC chieftain stressed that the President sees this as a betrayal, given his longstanding dominance in the state’s affairs.
“The President is not happy that the lawmakers and GAC acted this way. He feels betrayed. For them to have taken such a major action without his blessing, it amounts to disloyalty and a breach of trust,” the source said.
“This is now a battle of political wills—who will blink first? Tinubu is known for overcoming political challenges. Even when he faced opposition in the APC primaries and during the presidential election, he still prevailed. But this crisis in Lagos is different because it is coming from within his own political family.”
The source further confirmed that the GAC members who traveled to Abuja were unable to secure an audience with the President, a sign that Tinubu might be reassessing his next move.
“After this episode, the APC and the progressive structure in Lagos may never remain the same. The level of distrust created by this crisis is enormous. Political betrayal of this magnitude is not something that can easily be ignored,” he added.
Sanwo-Olu’s Alleged Role in the Crisis
Another significant player in this unfolding drama is Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. While he has publicly distanced himself from Obasa’s removal, some APC insiders believe he played a crucial behind-the-scenes role in ensuring that Tinubu’s directive was not followed.
“The governor is playing the devil’s advocate. Some say he is the major financier of this entire situation and is making sure that the President’s directive is not carried out,” the source alleged.
Sanwo-Olu’s Special Adviser on Media & Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, dismissed such claims, maintaining that the issue was purely a legislative affair.
“It is purely a legislative matter, and the Assembly handled it the best way they could. It has nothing to do with the governor,” Akosile told The PUNCH.
However, political analysts believe that this crisis is linked to the 2027 gubernatorial race. There are speculations that key political forces are already positioning themselves for the next election, and Obasa’s removal was a strategic move to eliminate a potential contender.
A Defining Moment for Lagos Politics
With the lawmakers standing firm against Tinubu’s directive and Obasa’s removal sparking divisions within the party, Lagos APC is at a crossroads. This development has exposed the first visible crack in the political empire Tinubu built over two decades.
The coming weeks will determine whether Tinubu will reassert his control over Lagos politics or whether this rebellion marks the beginning of a power shift within the APC. One thing is certain—this is a battle that could reshape the future of Lagos State’s political landscape.