: Lagos Speakership Crisis: Tinubu Urges Lawmakers To Retain Obasa

Tinubu Intervenes in Lagos State Speakership Crisis, Backs Obasa

In a bid to resolve the ongoing leadership crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly, President Bola Tinubu convened a closed-door meeting with Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and aggrieved lawmakers at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The meeting, which took place yesterday, resulted in Tinubu directing that Obasa should retain his position while withdrawing the court case related to the dispute.

Obasa Retains Position Amidst Lawmakers’ Grievances

Following the high-level mediation, sources revealed that Tinubu emphasized the need for unity within the Assembly, instructing Obasa to ensure better collaboration with his colleagues moving forward. Additionally, the President warned that any future complaints regarding the Speaker’s leadership could lead to serious consequences.

Reports indicate that Obasa, who arrived separately at the Presidential Villa around 2:50 PM, was ushered into the President’s office, while other lawmakers, transported in two coaster buses, had earlier discussions before joining the session. Although the meeting’s agenda was not publicly disclosed, sources confirmed that it primarily focused on reconciling the parties involved in the leadership dispute.

Lawmakers Affirm Loyalty to Tinubu

As the lawmakers exited the meeting around 4:30 PM, they were heard chanting the popular political slogan, “On your mandate, we shall stand,” reaffirming their loyalty to President Tinubu. Despite persistent inquiries from the press, Obasa declined to make any official comments regarding the discussion’s outcome.

Similarly, Hon. James Faleke, a member of the House of Representatives who attended the meeting, briefly stated, “It went well.”

Obasa Directed to Withdraw Legal Case

According to an insider source, the meeting functioned as a peace negotiation, resulting in an agreement that Obasa would continue serving as Speaker. The source further disclosed that Tinubu reproached Obasa for failing to engage his colleagues effectively. However, the President acknowledged that since Obasa had taken the initiative to report the conflict, he had to stand by him.

“The President made it clear that the Assembly members should maintain peace. If any more disputes arise, Obasa could lose his position permanently,” the source added.

Regarding the ongoing legal battle, it was confirmed that Tinubu instructed Obasa to drop the case in court, solidifying the reconciliation efforts.

Unresolved Tensions Persist

While Obasa has been reinstated following intervention from key APC stakeholders and the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), tensions within the Assembly reportedly remain. The aftermath of the impeachment attempt continues to linger, hinting that underlying issues may still need further resolution.

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