Obasa: Sanwo-Olu heaves sigh of relief; Lagos assembly resumes sitting as Tinubu succumbs to pressure

Strong indications emerged on Wednesday, that President Bola Tinubu may have finally backed down on the lingering crisis rocking the speakership of the Lagos State House of Assembly following pressure from various influential personalities and concerned citizens.

Meanwhile, the leadership of the Governor’s Advisory Council, GAC, of the Lagos All Progressives Congress, APC, Lagos, was unable to physically meet with Mr. President in Abuja as the latter was pre-occupied with state’s matters including his preparation for France on an official state visit.

The GAC, had sent a high-powered delegation to Abuja to brief Tinubu, the founder of the council on the outcome of the last meeting with 39 members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, held at Lagos House, marina, with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as moderator.

GAC, on Monday, convened an emergency meeting with members of the Lagos State House of Assembly to resolve the leadership crisis in the state Assembly.

Recall that embattled former Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, was removed in absentia by 32 out of 40 members of the state House of Assembly on January 13, 2025, over alleged financial misappropriation, misconduct, high-handedness, among others, and replaced with his erstwhile deputy Mojisola Lasbat Meranda as substantive Speaker, leading to conflicting reactions among members of the GAC, party faithful, as well as the general public.

The development did not eventually augur well with Tinubu, and his wife Oluremi, particularly on the removal process and the replacement choice for the speakership.

GAC, the apex decision-making organ of APC whose decisions are binding on members, is led by Pa Tajudeen Olusi.

According to sources, the GAC departed Lagos on Tuesday with the intention to present the communique of the meeting and signatures of lawmakers on the decision to retain Meranda as speaker.

The meeting, at press time, was botched as the leadership could not physically meet with the apparently unhappy Mr. President but had a telephone conversation where the matter was laid to rest and allow the status quo remain.

Earlier, the majority of the state assembly, in a meeting that lasted several hours expressed overwhelming support for the leadership of Meranda against all odds.

The President, having conceded to Obasa’s exit had expressed his opposition to the fact that the Speakership should be ceded to the Lagos West because the current Governor and newly elected Speaker are from Lagos Central, hence, the need to elect a new speaker among Lagos West lawmakers but was turned down by the lawmakers who insisted that they must be allowed to run their own affairs if the legislative arm must function appropriately in delivering the “Greater Lagos Project” in line with Sanwo-Olu THEMES’ developmental agenda.

The lawmakers from the west region, comprising about 20, despite the juicy offer, turned it down and pledged their unalloyed support to the new speaker, Meranda, not minding losing their return ticket to the assembly in 2027.

Sanwo-Olu heaves sigh of relief

Apparently, the latest development, which seemed to have piqued Sanwo-Olu’s the interest of Mr. President, provided relief as can now focus on important and urgent state matters. For the past few weeks, Sanwo-Olu had been distracted, resigning to just courtesy calls events.

“This is a big sigh of relief to Mr Governor, who has been working hard to resolve the matter amicably,” a source told Vanguard.

Meanwhile, members of the State House of Assembly are billed to resume normal sitting on Thursday, following notice sent to members,

“The lawmakers are expected to reconvene at 11 am to discuss important state matters among others.

“The house had suspended sitting based on the directive of the GAC and opinion leaders in the wake of the lingering crisis. But the lawmakers have decided to resume sitting without further delay, “ the source told Vanguard.

Party chieftains write Tinubu

An APC chieftain in Lagos, Fouad Oki, has expressed the need for decorum in the lingering crisis in the State House of Assembly, following the inglorious removal of the former Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa from office.

Also, Fouad, in a statement dated, February 4, addressed to APC, and leader of GAC, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, was titled: “Lagos speakership: It’s time to stop all shenanigans surrounding the change in Leadership saga,” called immediate truce into the crisis.”

The statement read in part: “I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I write to you today not just as a concerned member of our great party, but as a critical stakeholder who deeply cares about the unity and progress of our beloved APC.

“The recent developments surrounding the issue of the Speakership and the decision of the Lagos State House of Assembly to replace the erstwhile Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, have sparked considerable debate and concern within our ranks.

“I understand that this decision may have come as a surprise to many, and it is evident that a very few members of the leadership and indeed the Party membership have feelings of discontent regarding the manner in which it was executed.

“It is important to acknowledge that perhaps there were missteps in engaging with party leadership prior to this decision. However, we must recognize that the decision has been made, and it stands as a fait accompli.

“In light of this, I appeal to your compassion and wisdom to allow the legislature the independence it deserves.

“We must not allow this situation to further polarize our party, which is already grappling with internal cohesion.

“As the Yoruba proverb says, “Obe ti ge Omo l’owo, se ki a wa so obe nu ni?” meaning, the knife has already chopped the child’s finger, should we, therefore, throw away the knife?

“It is time for us to move forward, to chastise where necessary, but ultimately to embrace the change that has been set in motion.

“It is crucial to recognize that the decision made by the Lagos legislature has garnered significant support from various sectors of society, including traditional, social, and human rights communities.

“This bold statement reflects a desire for progress and reform, and it is imperative that we, as leaders of the APC, do not dismiss the voices of the people.

“Ignoring this sentiment could lead to political dangers that may jeopardize our party’s standing and unity.

“It is instructive to note that public opinion and community support play crucial roles in shaping political decisions and the overall functioning of democratic governance.

“Therefore, we must listen to their feeling and favourability of the preference made by these legislators as to who should be primus inter pares amongst them.

“The historical context and political culture of Lagos shape how parties respond to community feedback.

“Lagos is a cosmopolitan area with a strong tradition of grassroots activism, I earnestly wish that our party will be more inclined to engage with community members and incorporate their feedback into how we handle this keg of gunpowder.

“Let us utilize a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods to measure the effectiveness of our adaptations to community feedback.

“By continuously assessing our responsiveness and making data-driven decisions, as leaders, we can enhance our relevance, strengthen our connection with our constituents, and improve our chances of electoral success better especially within the context of the current tide with young voters.

“Afterall, elected officials and political leaders derive our legitimacy from the consent of the governed. Public opinion serves as a barometer of how well leaders are meeting the needs and expectations of their constituents.

“When leaders act by the will of the people, we reinforce our legitimacy; when we ignore public sentiment, we risk losing support and facing accountability measures, such as elections or protests.

“As Politicians we often look to public opinion polls and community feedback to guide our decisions. Understanding the preferences and priorities of our constituents always help us craft policies that resonate with the electorate, thereby increasing the likelihood of successful implementation and public support.

“A Political Party that aligns its platform with the prevailing sentiments of the electorate is more likely to win elections. Community support can mobilize voters, influence turnout, and sway undecided voters, making it a critical factor in competitive races.

“The media has spoken on the popular wish of Lagosians and that plays a pivotal role in shaping public opinion by framing issues, highlighting certain perspectives, and providing a platform for community voices.

“As politicians, we must respond to media coverage and public discourse, adjusting our positions or strategies based on how issues are perceived by the public. We must take due cognizance and act appropriately.

“By actively listening to our constituents and responding to their needs, it enhances our appeal, strengthens our electoral prospects, and fulfills our role as representatives of the public interest.

“This must not be lost on us and it is very imperative that as leaders, we harken to the cry of our constituents to sheath our sword.

“I urge you to consider the implications of prolonging this discord. Let us not allow our internal disagreements to overshadow the greater goal of serving the people of Lagos and Nigeria as a whole.

“The strength of our party lies in our ability to adapt, to listen, and to unite for the common good.

“In closing, I implore you to harken to the voice of reason and allow the sleeping dog to lie. Let us focus on building a stronger, more cohesive APC that reflects the aspirations of our people.

“The path forward may be challenging, but together, we can navigate these waters with grace and integrity.

“I trust in your wisdom and leadership to guide us through this pivotal moment.”