Controversy surrounding the sudden removal of former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly Mudashiru Obasa may not be over yet, as new details emerged on the real reasons behind the change of leadership in the legislative arm of government.
The removal of Obasa, who was accused of nursing gubernatorial ambition, was manifestly well orchestrated and properly planned by a group of people called the “cabal” who fell out with him, in collaboration with some political leaders who see him as becoming too powerful and unchecked by President Bola Tinubu.
Some of these politicians allegedly include a former Senator, former Ambassador and former Minister from Lagos Central Senatorial District; another former two-term Senator from Lagos East and West Senatorial Districts, former gubernatorial aspirant and former commissioner in Lagos State; a former Deputy Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, who is also a serving senator and three top-notch officials of the Lagos State Government, names-withheld.
The cabals have broken into cells with the recruitment of serving and former members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, a few members of the House of Representatives led by a four-term ranking member who notably served in the 2023 Presidential Campaign Council, top State Party Executive Committee members; some Council Chairmen and Governance Advisory Council, GAC, members.
The twin projects, ‘Resist GAC’ and ‘Obasa Must Go,’ have gained traction among some prominent traditional rulers who have strongly supported the process.
One of the traditional rulers is quoted as saying, “Lagos for Lagos has started, and we are set to rescue Lagos from ‘a to hun in wa’ (foreigners).
It was also gathered that a former Commissioner, now a serving State Lawmaker, the week before the removal of Obasa, had been inducing members with cash rewards and is still waiting to distribute more after the dust of the removal finally settles. “The money is still being held by a reputable monarch from the rich kingdom in the Central Senatorial District.,” the source stated.
The funds released to the cabal by the same man who was just appointed by President Tinubu also cover the cost of public hype and propaganda against the President, his wife, and Obasa.
The lawmakers have been assured and guaranteed that a standoff with the President will not diminish their future political ambitions.
Obasa’s removal was openly celebrated during a meeting at the Lagos State secretariat of APC. A Local Council Development Area, LCDA, Chairman attending a meeting with the State Chairman was seen jubilantly speaking and making calls to some unknown media men to start spreading the breaking news.
The weeks ahead will be interesting as the cells of opposition against the President stick to their agenda of a new order beginning with 2025 local government elections, party congresses and resilient posture to change the dynamics.
A party stalwart at the Acme Road Secretariat of APC, famous for supporting the Jandor Movement before the party’s 2022 State Congress, was quoted as having said, “ We will see how Tinubu handles this situation. It is left for him to either build or collapse the party in Lagos.”
Some party leaders have stated that discipline, loyalty and respect for leadership have totally broken down in the party and the GAC, which is supposed to superintend in an advisory capacity over happenings in government. The party no longer serves that interest because of sharp political differences and biases, as many of them have their biological children as council chairmen, members of the House of Assembly and commissioners.
Political watchers and residents of Lagos are watching with keen interest the political permutations that would solve the riddles of the political equation of Lagos State from 2025 forward.
The public is watching with keen interest whether strategic Team Tinubu will dominate beyond 2027 or the bullish Team Sanwo-Olu will prevail.
(Vanguard)
