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.