Lagos State is on edge as the embattled former Speaker
of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Honourable Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, has
returned to the state today, Saturday, January 25, 2025, after being ousted
from office earlier this month. His return has sparked widespread concern, with
many calling for immediate police intervention.
Obasa, who had been in Abuja since January 18, 2025,
attempting to meet with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to appeal his impeachment,
failed in his bid to reverse the decision. Despite his attempts to gain the
president’s attention, the impeachment process, which had the backing of 32
lawmakers, was finalized on January 13, 2025.
Now, Obasa has returned to Lagos and his supporters,
especially from his constituency in Agege, have been mobilized to gather at his
official residence in Ikeja GRA, despite the fact that it no longer serves as
his residence since his removal. The Speaker’s lodge, which was once the home
of the third-ranking official in the state, has become the center of an
unfolding political drama.
A statement by Segun Balogun JP, Chairman of Ward F in
Agege, instructed party members and stakeholders to meet at the Ikeja GRA
residence of Obasa for a “heroic welcome.” The statement, which calls for
attendees to wear clothing and caps displaying Obasa’s image, along with the
names of President Tinubu and the ruling APC, has raised eyebrows among
political observers.
What’s particularly curious about the meeting is the
venue—Obasa’s former residence, which he lost access to after his removal. His
decision to return to the location, despite his ouster, has ignited fears of
potential unrest and a challenge to the new leadership in the Assembly, led by
Rt. Hon. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda.
Reports suggest that the new leadership of the
Assembly and the majority of lawmakers who supported Obasa’s removal are
preparing to counter his return. Politicians who were dissatisfied with his
tenure, which was often described as “authoritarian,” are reportedly mobilizing
to prevent any attempt by Obasa to reclaim power.
In a related development, a 46-second video has
surfaced showing a group of Obasa’s supporters dancing and singing praise to
him at the Ikeja GRA residence. Some of them were seen wearing shirts and caps
emblazoned with his image, while others donned full native attire, also
featuring his name and pictures. The video has further fueled fears of
escalating tensions in the state.
A member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, who
wished to remain anonymous, has expressed concerns over the “show of shame”
that Obasa’s supporters are staging. The lawmaker stressed that all legal means
would be employed to ensure that Obasa does not regain any form of power. “Is
he the first Speaker to be impeached?” the lawmaker remarked, referencing the
fact that several other Speakers in the past have faced similar fates.
The police have been urged to intervene quickly to
avoid any potential chaos, and the new Assembly leadership is expected to take
a firm stand against any unlawful actions. However, efforts to reach Speaker
Mojisola Lasbat Meranda for comment on the developments have been unsuccessful,
with her phone remaining engaged throughout the day.
As Lagosians brace for the return of the controversial
former Speaker, the political landscape remains uncertain, with both supporters
and critics closely monitoring the situation.
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