Opposition woos Obasa as removal divides Lagos APC

The removal of a former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has continued to deepen division within the All Progressives Congress in the state. This was as opposition parties declared readiness to welcome the embattled lawmaker should he consider leaving the ruling party.

Since Obasa’s impeachment on January 13, 2025, by a majority of lawmakers over alleged misconduct and financial misappropriation, his removal has sparked conflicting reactions among members of the Governance Advisory Council, the highest decision-making body of the APC in Lagos.

The division became evident when two GAC members, Senator Anthony Adefuye and Chief Muraina Taiwo, who opposed Obasa’s removal, were criticised by another member of the group, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, who dismissed their comments as “childish and inconsequential.”

In an interview with Sunday PUNCH, Adefuye had criticised 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.”

However, Obanikoro rebuked both men, urging party leaders to refrain from making hasty statements on the issue.

The Lagos State House of Assembly has said it expects Obasa to return to the House before determining the next course of action, including a possible probe.

However, as of the time of filing this report, it was unclear whether the former Speaker had appeared before the House, as the Assembly’s spokesperson, Olukayode Ogundipe, did not respond to calls on Friday.

Meanwhile, opposition parties in the state told our correspondent on Friday that they were open to accommodating the embattled former Speaker should he decide to exit the ruling party amid the ongoing crisis.

The Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, Benedict Tai, said the party would implement appropriate checks if Obasa eventually joined them.

“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 noted 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 expressed its willingness to welcome Obasa should he consider leaving the APC ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

The Chairman of the party, Pastor Dayo Ekong, said the LP had no problem integrating Obasa into its ranks as long as his interests aligned with the party’s vision and principles.

“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 said, “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.”