President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reportedly intensified pressure on members of the Lagos State House of Assembly to reinstate Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker, just three weeks after his impeachment.
According to insiders, Tinubu urged lawmakers over the weekend to consider allowing Obasa’s return, citing potential political repercussions. Of the 40-member Lagos Assembly, all but two belong to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
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A senior Lagos politician who attended meetings over the weekend disclosed to Peoples Gazette, “The president has sent instruction that we should start preparing to let him come back. He said Obasa will spend only a short time before resigning on his own terms.”
Another source added, “We have agreed to let him return to give him a soft landing because the political consequences of allowing this matter to drag on are too severe.” However, some lawmakers remain uneasy about the decision, especially those involved in his impeachment on January 13, 2025.
A crucial meeting is scheduled for Monday in Abuja, where lawmakers yet to align with Tinubu’s directive are expected to be convinced.
Recall that Obasa was removed as Speaker on January 13 following a report which exposed allegations that he had misappropriated billions in procurement allocations for vehicles and other items that were never received. His impeachment led to the appointment of Lasbat Mojisola Meranda as Speaker, backed by at least 32 out of 40 lawmakers.
Despite the impeachment, Obasa has refused to vacate the official Speaker’s residence on Joel Ogunnaike Street, Ikeja G.R.A. He was abroad when the impeachment occurred, and upon returning to Nigeria, he reportedly went straight to the Speaker’s Lodge rather than his private residence.
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