In a decisive intervention aimed at resolving the leadership crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly, President Bola Tinubu has given Speaker Mudashiru Obasa a final opportunity to retain his position, warning that any further missteps could lead to his permanent removal.
At a closed-door meeting held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday, Tinubu met with Obasa and the aggrieved lawmakers, making it clear that the embattled Speaker must mend fences with his colleagues and foster unity within the Assembly.
Sources privy to the discussions revealed that the President instructed Obasa to withdraw his ongoing court case, signaling a firm stance against any legal battles that could further destabilize the Assembly. Tinubu’s directive, insiders say, was not just a call for peace but a condition for Obasa’s continued leadership.
Despite the gravity of the meeting, Obasa avoided speaking to journalists afterward. He had arrived separately at the Villa around 2:50 pm, while other lawmakers were transported in two coaster buses, underscoring the division within the Assembly.
Upon exiting Tinubu’s office at about 4:30 pm, the lawmakers, in a show of renewed loyalty to the President, chanted the familiar slogan, **”On your mandate, we shall stand.” However, Obasa, accompanied by House of Representatives member James Faleke, refused to comment on the outcome, while Faleke merely stated, “It went well.”
Insiders disclosed that the President’s intervention was not a blanket endorsement of Obasa’s actions. While he backed the Speaker’s reinstatement, Tinubu reportedly chastised him for failing to engage with his colleagues effectively.
One lawmaker, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the meeting as a “family discussion,” confirming that Tinubu’s support for Obasa was based on the Speaker’s direct approach to him before his impeachment. The source added, “The President made it clear that had we involved him earlier, things might have been different. But since Obasa brought the matter to him first, he had no choice but to back him.”
However, Tinubu’s support came with a stern warning: if similar complaints arise in the future, Obasa will be removed without further consideration.
With Tinubu’s verdict now final, lawmakers have been left with no choice but to accept Obasa’s return. Yet, the wounds from his impeachment remain fresh, and tensions within the Assembly are far from resolved.
While some members reportedly apologized to Obasa, the division lingers. His leadership now hinges on his ability to rebuild trust and navigate the fragile peace imposed by the President’s intervention.
As part of the settlement, Obasa has been ordered to withdraw all legal proceedings related to the crisis. His ability to comply with Tinubu’s conditions will determine whether he can retain his seat—or if this lifeline will be his last.
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