According to reports, President Bola Tinubu has expressed dissatisfaction at Hon. Mudasiru Obasa’s removal as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, calling the procedure “coup-like.”
32 of the 40 Assembly members removed Obasa last week, citing accusations of corruption and highhandedness as justifications.
Tinubu held a closed-door meeting in Abuja on Wednesday night with the new leadership of the Assembly, which included members of the powerful Governance Advisory Council (GAC) and newly elected Speaker Rt. Hon. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda.
Despite claims that he was in Abuja, Obasa himself, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat were conspicuously absent from the meeting.
According to people with knowledge of the discussion, Tinubu first voiced his displeasure with the impeachment process.
According to reports, the President said, “This was like a coup,” emphasising his dislike of the process.
However, Tinubu grudgingly supported the Assembly’s decision after recognising the accusations against Obasa and listening to the GAC leaders’ pleas.
During her speech, Speaker Meranda promised to make openness and sound governance a top priority while in office.
“Our focus will be on delivering democratic dividends to the people of Lagos,” she assured.
Tinubu’s hesitant endorsement highlights the precarious balance of power within the state, and the leadership shift is a turning point for the Lagos Assembly.