Politics
PDP, LP Want Suspended Lagos Speaker, Obasa
The removal of Mudashiru Obasa as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly has intensified divisions within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos, as party stakeholders remain split over his impeachment.
Recall that Obasa was impeached on January 13, 2025, over allegations of misconduct and financial misappropriation, a decision that has fueled tensions within the Governance Advisory Council (GAC)—the highest decision-making body of the APC in the state.
Party Leaders Clash Over Impeachment
Disagreements within the party became evident when Senator Anthony Adefuye and Muraina Taiwo, both GAC members, publicly criticized the impeachment, calling it politically motivated and procedurally flawed.
Adefuye, speaking with Punch, questioned the legality of the process, while Taiwo stated in a WhatsApp message:
“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, former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, dismissed their objections as “childish and inconsequential”, urging party leaders to avoid making hasty remarks.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State House of Assembly has hinted that Obasa may return to the House as discussions continue on whether to launch a formal probe into the allegations against him.
As the crisis within the APC unfolds, opposition parties in Lagos have signaled their willingness to welcome Obasa if he decides to leave the ruling party.
The Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos, Benedict Tai, confirmed that the party would consider admitting the former Speaker but emphasized that due diligence would be conducted.
“If we accept him into the PDP, we will implement necessary checks. No one can just join and demand a position; they must have spent years in the party. We need to ensure he isn’t coming to disrupt our structure, as others have in the past,” Tai stated.
He further noted that the PDP sees the APC’s internal crisis as an opportunity to strengthen its influence in the state.
“Their disunity is to our advantage, and if their crisis continues, it will help us regain lost ground. However, we must learn from past mistakes and take strategic steps.”
Similarly, the Labour Party (LP) in Lagos has expressed its readiness to accept Obasa if his political ambitions align with the party’s vision.
The Chairman of LP in Lagos, Pastor Dayo Ekong, said the party remains open to all but warned that no automatic privileges would be granted.
“If the impeached Speaker chooses to join the Labour Party, he will be welcomed, provided he shares our ideals. However, no one is given an automatic ticket. If he wants to contest, he must go through the primaries and test his popularity.”
Ekong also noted that the 2023 LP governorship candidate remains active in the party, hinting that Obasa’s entry would not disrupt existing structures.
“When the time comes, the party will decide its candidate. Until then, everyone will follow due process.”
With the 2027 elections on the horizon, Obasa’s next political move remains uncertain, but his impeachment has undoubtedly shifted the political dynamics in Lagos.
Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are expected to convene in Ibadan, Oyo State, on April 13 and 14, 2025, to deliberate on the party’s future and the possibility of forming a broader opposition alliance ahead of the 2027 general elections.
This meeting comes at a crucial time, as calls grow louder for opposition parties to unite in challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). However, internal divisions and differing agendas among prominent PDP figures have reportedly hindered meaningful progress in coalition talks.
A major item on the agenda will be whether the PDP should pursue strategic partnerships with other opposition parties or focus on repositioning itself as a standalone political force.
Sources within the party indicate that while several governors are in favor of an alliance, internal disagreements have made it difficult to reach a consensus.
Legal issues are also expected to dominate discussions. The governors plan to contest the federal government’s recent imposition of emergency rule in Rivers State, as well as the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who is currently serving as the vice chairman of the PDP Governors Forum. These developments have deepened the party’s internal challenges and sparked fresh concerns about federal overreach in state matters.
Another key issue on the table is the unresolved leadership dispute concerning the position of national secretary. With the Supreme Court having recently issued its Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment, the governors hope to determine whether Senator Samuel Anyanwu or Sunday Ude-Okoye is the rightful holder of the position.
2027 loading former president Muhammadu Buhari becomes beautiful bride as barely hours after VP, Atiku Abubakar visited ex-president, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Ganduje, on Friday, led members of the party’s National Working Committee on a visit t to Kaduna State.
The visit took place hours after former vice president Atiku Abubakar led the People’s Democratic Party delegation on a courtesy call to the former president.
The delegation included former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai; former governor of Sokoto, Aminu Tambuwal, former governor of Imo State, Achike Udenwa; former governor of Benue, Gabriel Suswam; former governor of Adamawa, Jibrilla Bindow; former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and former Minister of Communications, Isa Pantami.
Speaking with reporters after the meeting, El-Rufai said the visit to the former president was not political and asked “adversaries” not to lose sleep.
The former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory added that the visit was for “unity and brotherhood”.
The outcome of the APC NWC’s visit remains unknown; there have been speculations of disunity in the party, as some members of its members recently defected to the Social Democratic Party.
Atiku also cleared the air on Friday, saying that the visit was for the Sallah celebration as against speculated coalition talks.
In a post on his official X handle, Atiku wrote, “As the Waziri Adamawa, I was obligated to be in Adamawa during the Sallah celebrations. I held forth for the Lamido Fombina (Adamawa) in some of the activities of the Sallah celebrations. Today, I had the opportunity to pay a post-Sallah visit to His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2015-2023. It was a wonderful time with him. As usual, he cracked me up (to the extent that my ribs were hurting) with his peculiar humour.”
The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) has scheduled the state council election for July 12.
Mr Tope Ojo, LASIEC’s Head of Public Affairs, made this announcement on Friday in Lagos.
He revealed that the election for 57 council chairmanship positions and 376 councillor seats will take place on July 12. If necessary, a re-run will occur on July 19.
Lagos State comprises 20 Local Governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).
The election date was chosen to avoid a leadership vacuum in the state’s councils.
LASIEC’s notice confirmed that the election will include 20 Local Governments, 37 LCDAs, and 376 wards.
With the current local government administration nearing its end, LASIEC has ramped up efforts for a smooth election process.
The commission has officially launched the electoral process with the release of the Notice of Election.
Political parties must visit the LASIEC headquarters to obtain nomination forms for their candidates.
Ojo confirmed that a meeting with all registered political parties is set for Tuesday.
“The Election Guidelines will be published on April 17,” Ojo added.
According to him, campaigns and rallies will start on April 18 and end on July 9.
Nomination Forms for “substituted” and “only candidate” submissions must be submitted between June 18 and June 25.
LASIEC Chairman, Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile (rtd), assured a fair and level playing field for all political parties.
He reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to holding a free, fair, inclusive, and credible election.
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