By Akinwale Kasali

 

 

 

 

Time was when Mudashiru Ajayi Osuolale Obasa reigned Supreme as a colossus in the Lagos State House of Assembly.

 

He was feared by his colleagues, ruthless and blunt. He saw himself as an indivisible force, and dictated the pace and affairs of the Assembly.

 

Obasa rose from being a member of the Assembly to the Speaker and becoming the number Three Citizen of Lagos State, becoming the most decorated Speaker in the history of Lagos State, remaining in the saddle for Four Terms.

 

His popularity rose from obscurity to prominence, as the Ekiti State born Lawmaker in 2023 nursed the ambition of becoming a Senator in Lagos State, having, planning to replace Senator Olamilekan Adeola who represented the Lagos West Senatorial District and was moving to Ogun State to continue his political sojourn.

 

The power brokers in Lagos alongside President Bola Ahmed Tinubu advised him to shelved the idea and promised him that he will retain his Speakership Seat in the Lagos State House of Assembly which he concurred, with his Deputy, Hon. Wasiu Sanni Eshilokun given the nod ahead of Obasa, as he was picked as the All Progressives Congress, APC, Candidate to vie for the Lagos Central Senatorial District.

 

This however sent a signal to Obasa, but, he waved it off and decided to make a political enclave and structure for himself ahead of the 2027 Elections.

 

This however brought to fore his Governorship aspiration to rule the Centre of Excellence after Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-olu.

 

 

-How Is Governorship Ambition Ended Is Reign-

 

 

 

Obasa’s political powers was vivid for all to see, as became ruthless no matter whose ox is gored.

 

Prior to the Speakership Election in the Assembly, Governor Sanwo Olu three his weight behind Hon. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda as against Obasa, which angered Obasa and led to a frosty relationship between Sanwo-olu and Obasa.

 

After the election in which Obasa won, he decided to take his pound of flesh from Sanwo-olu, and that followed the rejection of the Commissioner-Nominees list sent by Governor Sanwo Olu to the House, which was rejected by Obasa.

 

On two occasions, the Lists were rejected leading to a face off between Obasa and Sanwo Olu, prompting the Governor Advisory Council, GAC, Justice Forum, JF and Mandate Group, MG, to wade into the crisis and bringing it to rest.

 

Despite the fact that the power brokers in the State had waded into the issue, there was still bad blood between them.

 

This was when Obasa came all out to make his Governorship ambition known.

 

At different fora, he will talk about his 2027 Governorship aspiration, without giving a damn and cutting the bluffs of Party Leaders; Chieftains and Executives.

 

The last straw that led to his untimely exit from his exalted Speakership position was the statement he made during the 2025 Budget Defense, when he said, “Past Governors in the State don’t have two heads, I have what it takes to be Governor of Lagos State”.

 

At the 2025 budget presentation, the former speaker disrespectfully said those who have ruled Lagos State in the past were not better than him, a statement which many considered as an insult to past leaders of the state and overbearing attitude to powers-that-be in the state.

 

This statement it was gathered infuriated President Tinubu, Past Governors in the State and a lot of Power Brokers who felt insulted by his statement.

 

It would be recalled that Governor Sanwo-Olu had visited President Tinubu in Aso Rock to complain about Obasa’s high handedness and disrespect to the Governor.

 

It was gathered that during this period, Obasa was alleged to always be at loggerheads with the Executive Arm of the State government, led by Governor Sanwo-Olu.

 

Aside absenting himself from most state functions, it was also gathered that the ambition of Obasa to run for the seat of governor of the state in 2027 General Election has put him against some of those eyeing that seat.

 

In what observers considered moves to ridicule the State’s Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Kadiri Hamzat, who is also eyeing the governorship seat, Obasa had during the Budget Presentation by Governor Sanwo-Olu in November, summoned the deputy governor to report at his seat, without showing any respect for the office.

 

During all this power fisticuffs, Obasa had several financial misappropriation allegations against him.

 

Omoyele Sowore, Publisher of SaharaReporter, had on several occasions call out Obasa for his financial recklessness, misappropriation, embezzlement and fraudulent activities, in which he had several receipts to present for the allegations.

 

Sources revealed to the magazine that when President Tinubu came to Lagos for the Christmas and New Year Festival, he had called Obasa alongside the Power Brokers in the State who are not happy with the activities of Obasa and how he has continued to abuse the power vested on him.

 

Obasa had suspended the Chairman of Alimosho Local Government, Hon. Jelili Sulaimon, orchestrated plans to polarized the Alimosho structure in achieving his 2027 Governorship aspiration.

 

He had unilaterally taken some decisions, pocketed some monies and did some shady deals that was vivid for the other Lawmakers.

 

His plans and strategies for the execution of 2025 Local Government Elections in the State was also criticised.

 

Leading to the conclusion that he would be impeached.

 

He had pleaded to make amends and retrace his steps, but President Tinubu bluntly told him it was too late.

 

Sources said President Tinubu had told him to go down memory lane and reminisce on how former Lagos State Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji was humiliated from office, paving way for Obasa.

 

Obasa was said to have met the GAC, MG and JF members to assist him in pleading with President Tinubu, but all fell on deaf ears and they remained defiant.

 

Knowing that the end was near and that he would be impeached on Monday January 13th, 2025, Obasa left the shores of the country and absconded to Atlanta, Georgia in the United State of America on Sunday night of January 12th, 2025.

 

It was gathered that assuming Obasa had stayed till Monday night before jetting out to Atlanta, anti graft agencies; Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences, ICPC, would have feasted on him by arresting him.

 

A day before he ran to the USA, the Power Brokers had ordered the Lawmakers to move for the impeachment of Obasa on Monday.

 

The allegations leveled against Obasa were; highhandedness, gross misconduct, poor leadership, lack of commitment to legislative business, lack of regard for fellow lawmakers, intimidation and suppression of legislative staff.

 

Other allegations levelled against Obasa were financial impropriety, misappropriation of funds, lack of transparency, gross abuse of office and privileges, authoritarianism, among others.

 

The motion for Obasa’s impeachment was seconded by Hon. Aro Moshood Abiodun, representing Ikorodu 2 and was immediately subjected to a voice vote three times by Hon. Meranda, who presided over the proceedings and all the lawmakers shouted “yes” in support of the impeachment while none of them said “nay” to counter the motion.

 

In a chat with journalists on Monday at the Lagos Assembly complex, Hon. Abiodun Tobun, representing Epe Constituency 1, disclosed that the impeachment was a unanimous decision by the lawmakers.

 

Tobun emphasised that the action was necessary to protect the integrity of the legislature and the state.

 

“The lawmakers agreed to take this step to safeguard our image and Lagos State. Change is inevitable, and we felt it was time for a new direction,” Tobun said.

 

He explained that the 1999 Constitution (as emended) empowers the Assembly to regulate its proceedings and members of the House reached a consensus to end Obasa’s tenure.

 

Following the impeachment of Obasa, Hon. Meranda was sworn-in as the new Speaker, with Hon. Fatai Ajibola assuming the role of Deputy Speaker.

 

Meranda who is the younger Sister To the Oba of Oniru, HRH Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal becomes the First ever Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

 

According to Tobun, “All standing committees and principal officer positions have been dissolved. We are determined to work together to elevate the Assembly and deliver on our responsibilities to Lagosians,” Tobun added.

 

Therr was however wild jubilation among Staffs of the State Assembly over Obasa’s impeachment, saying in the full glare of all and sundry that the former speaker was a bad leader that care less about welfare of the staff of the state’s legislature.

 

The lawmakers assured the public of their commitment to the progress and stability of Lagos State under the new leadership.

 

As a mark of acceptability in the new rapprochement, the Conference 57 Local Government and Local Council Development Area Chairmen in Lagos State has congratulated Rt. Hon. Meranda on her election as the first female Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

 

In a statement, the Conference 57 praised Meranda’s dedication, competence, and commitment to service, saying her emergence reflected the state’s progressive ideals and inclusive governance ethos.

 

The forum expressed trust in Meranda’s ability to deliver robust legislative leadership, foster development, and uphold democratic principles. They assured her of their support and collaboration, wishing her a successful tenure marked by groundbreaking achievements.

 

The statement was signed on behalf of the Conference 57 by the chairman, Hon. Alabi Kolade David, and Public Relations Officer, Bldr. Olusesan Daini, the statement concluded with a congratulatory message.

 

In getting the reaction of Obasa on this development, efforts to reach his Chieg Press Secretary, Eromosele Ebhomele proved abortive as his phone was switched off as at the time of filing in this report.