Obasa: Political solution likely as Tinubu wades into crisis

The standoff between Mudashiru Obasa and the 32 members of the Lagos State House of Assembly may soon be resolved through political means, BusinessDay has gathered.

Speaking with BusinessDay on Monday, a source close to both the House and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who pleaded anonymity, said that Obasa’s impeachment on January 13, 2025, did not have the endorsement of the President.

“They disrespected Baba. They did not carry him along. Baba is not happy they removed Obasa and he wants him back,” the source said.

According to the source, “Look at what is happening because of Obasa. The House is divided; members of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) are divided among themselves, and there is division all over the place. This is not good for anybody. The invasion of the Assembly by the Department of State Services (DSS) was also unnecessary. Some members criticised the presence of the DSS, while the DSS on the other hand said they were invited. Nobody knows the truth.”

Worried at the development, the source said that activities at the Assembly and at the executive arm may be negatively impacted.

“The impact of what is happening may be negative on the overall governance in Lagos State. For instance, the House has adjourned sine die. Will that not affect the work of the executive? Crisis is never good in any society. It affects development. When there is no peace, there will be arrested development.

“In the final analysis, it is the man (Tinubu) that will resolve it. After all, all the people in the House of Assembly are children of one political family,” the source said.

Police, DSS seal speaker, deputy speaker’s offices

Operatives of the DSS and Nigeria police, Monday, stormed the premises of the Lagos State House of Assembly, sealing up the offices of the Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, her deputy and clerk of the House.

BusinessDay gathered that the armed security personnel took over the premises at Alausa, Ikeja, and environs, frisking every passer-by.

The development, it was also gathered, had to do with the recent impeachment of Obasa as speaker.

Obasa had, following his removal, sued the state lawmakers, challenging the action of the Assembly. He filed a motion at the Ikeja Division of the State High Court, where he is also seeking an accelerated hearing of his suit.

The former speaker was removed in absentia by 32 out of the 40 members of the state Assembly on January 13, 2025. He was in America when he was removed in a situation described as ‘coup,’ by President Bola Tinubu.

The development has generated controversy with the now-divided members of the GAC, an apex political decision-making body in All Progressives Congress (APC), in Lagos.

DSS denies invasion

Following a backlash, the DSS clarified that its operatives stormed the Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday on invitation.

The DSS said the acting clerk of the House invited them, noting that its officers were only there to maintain order.

Heavy presence of security men at the complex on Monday morning had received wide condemnations, with some insinuating that the presidency might be supporting the reinstatement of ex-Speaker Mudashiru Obasa.

A statement issued on Monday by Nigeria’s secret police said that they were invited in a letter signed by A.T.B. Ottun, acting clerk, dated February 14, 2025 and addressed to the Lagos State Director of the DSS.

The DSS said the letter indicated that there were plans to forcefully reinstate Obasa on February 18, 2025, and this could lead to a security risk.

Lawmakers begged DSS for security, says Assembly clerk

Meanwhile, the clerk of the House said lawmakers begged the DSS for security.

In a letter dated February 14, 2025, the Assembly management told security agencies in Lagos that there was credible information that plans were afoot to forcefully reinstate the impeached speaker of the Assembly on February 18, 2025.

Rhodes-Vivour condemns invasion

Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, Labour Party (LP) gubernatorial candidate in Lagos State in the 2023 general election, condemned Monday’s invasion of the state’s Assembly by the DSS and the Nigerian police.

Reacting in a statement on his X page, formerly Twitter on Monday, the former governorship candidate bemoaned the situation, saying the Lagos State House of Assembly is the people’s House and a symbol of the state’s democratic values and aspirations. He noted that the invasion was a reminder of the military rule era in the country.

“Reports of armed DSS officials storming and sealing the office of the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mojisola Meranda and the alleged militarization of the Assembly complex at Alausa are deeply troubling.

According to the tweet, “This brazen display of force at our state’s legislative chamber represents a dangerous assault on democratic institutions and the principle of separation of powers.”