President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former governor of Lagos State, has reportedly reprimanded the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, over the contentious 2024 Lagos State Local Council Administration Law awaiting Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s assent.
Sources disclosed that during a private meeting, an irate President Tinubu expressed his dissatisfaction with Obasa, questioning his competence and the implications of drafting laws that could destabilize Lagos State’s political equilibrium. Tinubu, known for his political acumen and influence in Lagos, reportedly chided the Speaker for what he described as a self-serving approach to legislative duties.
The President accused Obasa of fostering unnecessary friction with the executive arm of government, party elders, and the governor, warning that such actions were detrimental to the unity and progress of the state. Tinubu specifically emphasized that critical decisions regarding local government administration were beyond the Speaker’s purview at this stage, urging him to prioritize harmony and collaboration within the party structure.
Obasa was directed to align with Governor Sanwo-Olu’s decisions, particularly regarding the screening and approval of nominees for the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC). The President further instructed the Speaker to comply with subsequent directives from the party and the executive arm to ensure the stability of governance in the state.
The meeting reportedly left Obasa stunned and silent, as Tinubu’s stern rebuke underscored the gravity of the situation.
The development follows a series of contentious actions by the Speaker, including remarks made during the Lagos State 2025 budget presentation, where Obasa claimed no serving or former governor of Lagos was better equipped than him to oversee the state’s affairs. Observers interpreted this statement as a veiled jab at President Tinubu, who governed Lagos from 1999 to 2007 and laid the foundation for its economic transformation.
The Speaker’s statement has been linked to his speculated 2027 gubernatorial ambition under his “Muda Eko, Obasa Lagos 2027 Agenda,” promoted by his supporters under The Mudashiru Movement (TMM). The controversial 2024 Local Council Administration Law is alleged to be part of this agenda, aiming to install loyalists as administrative secretaries across Lagos’ 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).
Critics argue that the proposed law would disrupt the balance of power within the state’s governance structure, with some APC stakeholders accusing Obasa of using it to consolidate power ahead of the next electoral cycle.
The controversy has reportedly created deep divisions within the Lagos APC, threatening the unity of the ruling party in its stronghold.
As the matter continues to generate debate, party leaders and stakeholders are closely monitoring developments to prevent further discord that could affect the state’s governance and political stability.
