The impeachment of Mudashiru Obasa, a former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, has exacerbated internal divisions within the state’s All Progressives Congress.
This came as opposition groups proclaimed their willingness to welcome the besieged congressman if he considers leaving the ruling party.
Since Obasa was impeached by a majority of MPs on January 13, 2025, for suspected misconduct and financial embezzlement, his expulsion has provoked divergent emotions among members of the Governance Advisory Council, the APC’s highest decision-making body in Lagos.
Two GAC members, Senator Anthony Adefuye and Chief Muraina Taiwo, who opposed Obasa’s removal, were chastised by another member of the committee, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, who rejected their remarks as “childish and insignificant.”
In an interview with PUNCH, Adefuye had berated 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.”
Obanikoro, on the other hand, chastised both men and urged party officials to avoid making premature statements on the matter.
The Lagos State House of Assembly has stated that it expects Obasa to return before deciding on the next steps, which may include an investigation.
However, as of the time of reporting this article, it was unclear whether the former Speaker had been before the House, as the Assembly’s spokesperson, Olukayode Ogundipe, had not returned calls on Friday.
Meanwhile, opposition parties in the state told our correspondent on Friday that they were willing to accommodate the embattled former Speaker if he decided to leave the ruling party during the ongoing turmoil.
Benedict Tai, Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, stated that if Obasa joins the party, necessary checks will be implemented.
“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 mentioned 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 has declared its openness to welcoming Obasa if he decides to leave the APC before the 2027 governorship race.
Pastor Dayo Ekong, the party’s chairman, stated that the LP had no problem incorporating Obasa into its ranks as long as his interests were consistent with the party’s goal and beliefs.
“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 stated that, “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.”
