President Bola Tinubu has reportedly directed members of the Lagos State House of Assembly to prepare for the reinstatement of Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker, weeks after his impeachment over allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of office.
Obasa was removed from office on January 13, 2025, with his deputy, Mojisola Meranda, immediately sworn in as Speaker. However, Obasa has continued to reject the legitimacy of his impeachment, describing it as unconstitutional and null and void.
Tinubu’s Intervention and Political Calculations
Sources familiar with the matter disclosed to The Bureau Newspaper that President Tinubu has urged lawmakers to reinstate Obasa, citing the potential political fallout of his removal. The plan reportedly involves allowing Obasa to return as Speaker for a brief period before stepping down voluntarily.
“The president has instructed us to start making arrangements for his return,” a senior Lagos politician revealed. “Obasa will be reinstated, but only for a short time before resigning on his own terms.”
Given that the House is dominated by All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers, Tinubu’s directive is expected to be implemented without resistance. However, some legislators fear that Obasa’s return may come with political vengeance.
“We are afraid that bringing him back will be like trying to pacify a snake after cutting off its head,” a lawmaker reportedly said. “His return could be dangerous.”
To solidify this decision, Tinubu has summoned the Lagos lawmakers, members of the Governor’s Advisory Council, Obasa, and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to a meeting in Abuja on Monday.
Obasa’s Struggles to Regain Control
Since his removal, Obasa has refused to vacate the Speaker’s official residence, preventing Meranda from moving in. In a recent meeting with Governor Sanwo-Olu and other APC stakeholders, he appealed to Tinubu for permission to retrieve his belongings from the residence. The President granted this request.
Obasa had also argued that his impeachment should be nullified, claiming that the two official maces of the Assembly were in his possession during the process. However, lawmakers countered this claim, stating that the old Assembly mace was used to legitimize the impeachment.
First Lady Allegedly Shields Obasa from EFCC Probe
In a separate development, reports suggest that First Lady Remi Tinubu intervened to prevent the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from arresting Obasa over alleged financial misconduct. However, sources say an investigation into his handling of public funds may still be ongoing.
Tensions Among Lawmakers
Tinubu’s directive has sparked discontent among some lawmakers who feel undermined by the move.
“Some of us are angry that the president is forcing us into this, but no one wants to challenge him as the party leader,” a lawmaker disclosed.
Obasa, who recently returned from the U.S., maintains that his impeachment was carried out with a fake mace. At a reception in his honor in Ikeja GRA, he accused security forces of targeting him and his family on the day of his removal.
“My house in Agege was surrounded by over 200 policemen, my children couldn’t sleep in the house, and my wife was placed under house arrest,” he claimed.
Despite these controversies, Governor Sanwo-Olu and Obasa reportedly met over the weekend to finalize his return as Speaker, which could be announced in the coming days.
With tensions rising in the Lagos political space, all eyes are on Monday’s meeting in Abuja, where Tinubu is expected to ensure party unity and compliance with his directive.