Tinubu Intervenes in Lagos Assembly Crisis, Backs Obasa as Speaker
President Bola Tinubu has intervened in the leadership crisis rocking the Lagos State House of Assembly, urging aggrieved lawmakers to allow Speaker Mudashiru Obasa to retain his position. The President met with Obasa and other members of the Assembly behind closed doors at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday, where he emphasized the need for unity and peace within the legislative body.
Sources at the meeting revealed that President Tinubu directed Obasa to withdraw the court case related to the crisis and warned him to carry his colleagues along in his leadership. The President also cautioned that any future complaints against Obasa could lead to his removal, stressing the importance of maintaining harmony within the Assembly.
Details of the Meeting
The closed-door meeting, which lasted several hours, was attended by Obasa and a delegation of lawmakers from the Lagos State House of Assembly. While the agenda was not disclosed to the press, it was gathered that the discussions centered on resolving the recent leadership tussle that led to Obasa’s impeachment and subsequent reinstatement.
Emerging from the meeting, the lawmakers were heard singing “On your mandate, we shall stand,” a popular political anthem associated with President Tinubu’s supporters. The song, which echoed through the Presidential Villa, signaled the lawmakers’ loyalty to the President and their commitment to resolving the crisis.
Speaker Obasa, however, declined to speak to journalists after the meeting. He was accompanied by Hon. James Faleke, a member of the House of Representatives representing Ikeja Federal Constituency, who simply said, “It went well,” when asked about the outcome of the parley.
Resolution and Reconciliation
A lawmaker who spoke on condition of anonymity revealed that the meeting was more of a “family affair” and that it was agreed that Obasa would remain as Speaker. The source added that President Tinubu had warned Obasa to ensure peace and unity within the Assembly, stating that any further complaints could jeopardize his position.
“Obasa is staying, and we have no choice but to obey the President. The meeting was more of a family meeting,” the lawmaker said. “The President condemned his (Obasa’s) actions not to parley with us. He, however, said that since we did not carry him (Tinubu) along, and it was only Obasa that came to report the matter to him, he had no choice but to support him (Obasa).”
The source also confirmed that President Tinubu had instructed Obasa to withdraw the court case related to the crisis. “The President has instructed him to withdraw it,” the lawmaker stated.
Background of the Crisis
The leadership crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly began when some lawmakers moved to impeach Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, citing allegations of high-handedness and lack of inclusivity in his leadership. Obasa was impeached on March 3, 2025, but was later reinstated following the intervention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Governing Advisory Council (GAC).
Despite his reinstatement, tensions within the Assembly persisted, with some lawmakers reportedly still dissatisfied with Obasa’s leadership. The crisis has raised concerns about the stability of the legislative body and its ability to effectively carry out its duties.
Implications of Tinubu’s Intervention
President Tinubu’s intervention underscores his influence as a key political figure in Lagos State and his commitment to maintaining stability within the APC. By backing Obasa and urging reconciliation, the President has sought to prevent further divisions within the party and ensure that the Lagos State House of Assembly can function effectively.
The resolution of the crisis is expected to pave the way for a more harmonious working relationship among the lawmakers. However, the underlying issues that led to the impeachment attempt may still need to be addressed to prevent future conflicts.
The meeting at the Presidential Villa marks a significant step toward resolving the leadership crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly. With President Tinubu’s intervention, Speaker Mudashiru Obasa has been given a second chance to lead, but with a clear warning to foster unity and inclusivity.
As the lawmakers return to their duties, the focus will be on rebuilding trust and ensuring that the Assembly can effectively serve the people of Lagos State. The resolution of this crisis also highlights the importance of strong leadership and conflict resolution in maintaining political stability and good governance.
