BREAKING: Obasa Storms Lagos Assembly With Heavy Security

  Ousted speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has stormed the assembly complex. It was learnt that Obasa was in the company of some security officials, entered the Speaker’s Office around 12 noon on Thursday. The development followed the withdrawal of the security aides of the Speaker, Mojisola Meranda. The Chief Press Secretary to Meranda, Segun Ajiboye, confirmed the latest in a short message on Thursday, accusing Obasa and his team of allegedly breaking into the office. “We’re at the assembly now,” a source in the Obasa camp also said. Details later …

Opposition Woos Obasa As Removal Divides Lagos APC

  The removal of a former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has continued to deepen division within the All Progressives Congress in the state. This was as opposition parties declared readiness to welcome the embattled lawmaker should he consider leaving the ruling party. Since Obasa’s impeachment on January 13, 2025, by a majority of lawmakers over alleged misconduct and financial misappropriation, his removal has sparked conflicting reactions among members of the Governance Advisory Council, the highest decision-making body of the APC in Lagos. The division became evident when two GAC members, Senator Anthony Adefuye and Chief Muraina Taiwo, who opposed Obasa’s removal, were criticised by another member of the group, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, who dismissed their comments as “childish and inconsequential.” In an interview with Sunday PUNCH, Adefuye had criticised the process that led to Obasa’s removal, while Taiwo, in a brief WhatsApp message, stated, “The lawmakers’ action is illegal. It shows total disregard and clear disrespect for leadership. The GAC is split over the matter, but we will all defer to our leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to resolve the crisis.” However, Obanikoro rebuked both men, urging party leaders to refrain from making hasty statements on the issue. The Lagos State House of Assembly has said it expects Obasa to return to the House before determining the next course of action, including a possible probe. However, as of the time of filing this report, it was unclear whether the former Speaker had appeared before the House, as the Assembly’s spokesperson, Olukayode Ogundipe, did not respond to calls on Friday. Meanwhile, opposition parties in the state told our correspondent on Friday that they were open to accommodating the embattled former Speaker should he decide to exit the ruling party amid the ongoing crisis. The Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, Benedict Tai, said the party would implement appropriate checks if Obasa eventually joined them. “If we accept him into the party, we will put checks and balances in place because no one can just come in and demand a position. The person must have spent years in the party. We need to be sure he isn’t coming to disrupt the party, as some have done in the past,” he stated. He noted that the PDP welcomed the crisis within the APC and intended to capitalise on it to regain lost ground in the state. “If disunity is an obstacle to their party, then we hope it worsens for them. They are our main challenge. The current situation in Lagos is favourable for the PDP, provided we learn from our mistakes and take advantage of their shortcomings,” Tai added. Similarly, the Labour Party in Lagos expressed its willingness to welcome Obasa should he consider leaving the APC ahead of the 2027 governorship election. The Chairman of the party, Pastor Dayo Ekong, said the LP had no problem integrating Obasa into its ranks as long as his interests aligned with the party’s vision and principles. “If the impeached Speaker chooses to join the Labour Party, he will be welcomed because our party is open to everyone. As a party driven by the right ideals, we don’t want to interfere in APC affairs. However, if Obasa decides to join us, he will be accepted, provided his interests align with what the LP stands for,” Ekong stated. When asked whether Obasa might receive preferential treatment due to his political status and rumoured governorship ambition, Ekong said, “There are no automatic rights anywhere. People were at the party before he came in. What we will do is allow everyone to go through the primaries and test their popularity. It’s not about granting an automatic ticket to anyone. “Don’t forget that the 2023 LP governorship candidate is still in the party. But when we get to that bridge, we will cross it.”

How Obasa Offended Lagos GAC Elders

  LAGOS – Days after his removal as Lagos Speaker, fresh facts have emerged over what led to the impeachment of Rt Hon. Mudashiru Obasa. City People, gathered that part of Rt Hon. Mudashiru Obasa’s offence was how he repeatedly showed scant regard for the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Lagos APC leaders especially, the leadership of the Governors Advisory Council, which is the highest advisory council in Lagos State. The group set up by Pres. Bola Tinubu years back, is called The Governing Advisory Council (GAC). These are top politicians in APC who determine what happens in Lagos. They comprise of Elders of APC who provide direction for the party and usually step in, to solve difficult issues concerning the party positions. They not only determine how Lagos is run, they get consulted when it comes to major decisions like party positions. They are immensely powerful and influential. And they play an advisory role to the Governor and his Deputy. That is why GAC has been described as the highest decision making body in Lagos as far as governance is concerned. Members are major stakeholers of the party within Lagos State and their main function is to oversee the affairs of the party in the state. That was why the group stepped in during the recent face-off between the Governor and the former Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa. They are about 25 in number, headed by Elderstatesman, Prince Tajudeen Okusi. 2 members are dead. One is Pa. Akinsanya Sunny Ajose who died a few days ago. There is also late Chief Mrs. Kemi Nelson, the former APC Deputy National Woman Leader who was also a member. Before her death, she was the only female amongst the GAC members. But right now, the body has been expanded to include key players like Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, the wifie of Pres. Bola Tinubu, the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Otunba Harry Ajomale (former Lagos APC Chair), Prince Abiodun Ogunleye (ex-Deputy Gov to Tinubu), Cardinal James Odunmbaku, Otunba Bushira Alebiosu, Omooba Murphy Adetoro, Sen. Anthony Adefuye, Alhaji S.A. Seriki, Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Bashorun (former SSG, Lagos, Prince Rabiu Oluwa (former Island Club President), Alhaji Mutiu Are, Dr. Yomi Finnih, Alhaji Mutiu Are, Alhaji Musiliu Obanikoro, Otunba Muyiwa Sosanya, Alhaji Tunde Balogun, Mr. Wale Edun, Otunba Femi Pedro. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu & his Deputy, Femi Hamzat are also valuable members. The leader of the Council is Prince Tajudeen Olusi (MON, OON). He is 88 and well respected. He is a seasoned politician in Lagos who many politicians don’t joke with. He is an elderstatesman who is full of wisdom. He has produced no fewer than 3 generations of politicians in Lagos State. That is why his name is big in Lagos politics. Just mention Prince Tajudeen Olusi, to many Lagos politicians and you will be told how powerful and influential Papa is, politically, in the scheme of things in Lagos. He is well respected. He has earned his spot. He has paid his dues. He has been involved in Politics since age 13. And he is one of the Elders of the ruling party, APC. He is one man Pres. Tinubu does not joke with. After he received his Certificate of Victory from INEC in Abuja, in 2023 he brought the Certificate back to Lagos to show Pa Olusi who blessed him just before the elections. This time around he wanted Baba to again bless his new role as the President of Nigeria. That is how important Papa Olusi is to him. On account of his remarkable role in Lagos politics, City People, visited Prince Tajudeen Oluyole Olusi at his Lagos home a few years back to drink from his well of wisdom. We were expecting to see one big man who many people will be grovelling around and worshipping him like a god, but we were shocked to meet a humble, easy going man who had no airs around him. He is tall and slim. He is a man who is still very active and highly cerebral even at 88. Despite his age, he does not use a walking stick, neither does he wear glasses. He is quick to stand up to pick things for himself and we found him to be a resipository of information on Lagos history and politics, having been part of the recent history of Lagos. His power of recall is superb. And he still cracks jokes. He has a robust sense of honour. He is a team player and listens to others. For instance, after we were ushered into his presence, we met him casually dressed and we pleaded with him to change into an outfit he can take photos and videos with. He immediately obliged us. He stood up and went in to change, not minding that we were far younger than him. Let’s tell you more. Prince Tajudeen Oluyole Olusi (MON, OON) is a Prince of Lagos, who is passionately committed to the development of the Lagos royal house and the preservation of Lagos’ cultural heritage. His father Alayeluwa Oba Sanusi Matiku Olusi, was once an Oba of Lagos. Prince Olusi was shortlisted for the throne of Lagos in 1964 and 2003. He was, at a time, the Secretary to the Lagos Royal House and the Lagos Aborigene Society. Presently, he is the head of the Akisemoyin ruling house. Prince Olusi was a Councilor under the Action Group (AG), the party led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo, in the Lagos Town Council between 1962 and 1965 and was reelected-in 1965 before the military truncated the democratic regime in 1966. He represented Lagos in the Federal House of Representatives from October 1979 – 1983. He was re-elected in 1983 before the military overthrew the sitting government again. At a time, he served in the Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture. He was Lagos State Honorable Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Tourism between 1994 and 1996. Prince Olusi was the Lagos … Read more

Lawmakers impeach Lagos Assembly speaker Obasa

  Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly have impeached Speaker Mudashiru Obasa over multiple fraudulent allegations. Multiple sources confirmed that Obasa was removed by the lawmakers during a plenary on Monday. Details surrounding the speaker’s removal are still sketchy as of press time. However, the Deputy Speaker of the House, Mojisola Meranda, has replaced Obasa as Speaker. Obasa’s Chief Press Secretary, Eromosele Ebhomele, has not responded to phone calls and a text message regarding the development as of the time of filing this report. More details later …