President Bola Tinubu and the Governance Advisory Council, the apex decision making body of the All Progressives Congress in Lagos State, have intervened in the differences between the State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa.
The duo were summoned on Tuesday to Ikoyi, the official residence of the President, who is in Lagos for the holiday season.
The meeting had in attendance: Sanwo-Olu; his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; state APC Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi; some APC chieftains; and GAC members, who converged on Lagos House, Marina before departing to Ikoyi for the crucial meeting.
Obasa was spotted in his black sport utility vehicle driving into the Lagos State House, Marina by himself without a chauffeur, apparently to join the convoy of the Governor and GAC members, who had left earlier.
Upon learning that the convoy had left earlier, Obasa immediately sped off in his vehicle to meet up with the other party at Ikoyi.
A source, who confirmed Obasa’s presence at the Ikoyi meeting held behind closed doors, said it lasted for several hours.
According to the source, Tinubu and the GAC, led by its Chairman, Pa Tajudeen Olusi, were able to reach a truce between Sanwo-Olu and Obasa in order to allow peace reign in the state.
Several members of the council, Sanwo-Olu and Obasa were given the opportunity to speak on the issue before the President addressed the gathering, expressing his displeasure with Obasa, but called for a way forward.
They accused Obasa of making statements likely to disintegrate and put the party into disrepute if he continues to speak carelessly about his gubernatorial ambition in 2027.
Recall that earlier, Tinubu had issued a stern warning to the Speaker over his alleged disrespect towards Sanwo-Olu and the esteemed office of the governor.
The warning came during a meeting with the leadership of GAC in Lagos over the weekend.
Olusi visited the President shortly after his return to Lagos for the end-of-year break.
The meeting, meant to be a political gathering, turned into a platform for the GAC to address growing concerns about Obasa’s perceived disregard for the governor.
Olusi, according to the report, opened the discussion, citing several instances where Obasa allegedly undermined the governor’s authority, a situation he described as unacceptable and detrimental to the state’s political stability.
Highlighting the importance of respecting the office of the governor, Olusi was said to have reminded the president of how the position was upheld during Tinubu’s tenure as governor between 1999 and 2007.
In his remarks, Tinubu, visibly displeased with the allegations against the speaker, criticised Obasa for what he described as poor political management and lack of respect for Governor Sanwo-Olu.
The President particularly cited a recent move by the Assembly under Obasa’s leadership to push for a bill enabling them to sack the chairman of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission, labeling it as “a huge joke”.
Tinubu expressed his disapproval of actions that could destabilise the harmonious working relationship within the Lagos State Government and called for an immediate resolution to the issues raised. (Vanguard News)
