Is Lagos Former Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa’s Political Career on the Precipice?

It is indeed an incontestable fact that Mudasiru Obasa’s political career is laced with more roses than thorns. He would be considered one of the luckiest members of any House of Assembly in Nigeria.

But his reign as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, which began on a bright note in 2015, ended ignominiously on Monday, January 13, 2025. While it lasted, Obasa assumed the status of a superman, or better still, a cat with nine lives.

Since his removal from office, various stories spanning from political intrigues and power play have been floated as the reason behind the impeachment.

Some have even alleged that Obasa was impeached over his purported plan to battle for the party’s ticket to run for the office of governor in 2027 against Seyi Tinubu, President Bola Tinubu’s son.

Other stories offered probable reasons Obasa was impeached after almost nine years as speaker. They include financial infractions such as the allegation that the former speaker allegedly oversaw the withdrawal of N43.5bn for backup vehicles for lawmakers.

Also notable is his battles with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, particularly his seeming disrespect for the governor.

His treatment of the governor and several members of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) during the presentation of the 2025 budget to the assembly was said to be the last straw that eventually broke the camel’s back.

During the presentation, Obasa, after he reportedly left the governor and the leaders present waiting for hours, came into the chamber without any show of respect and went on a long speech about his purported ambition to succeed Sanwo-Olu.

Among other serious issues, he said: “Becoming a governor is secondary; it is something that I have not given serious consideration. Nevertheless, that does not mean I am too young or lack experience to run; whereas, those who have been before me are not better off…”

Society Watch gathered that his fate was probably sealed during President Tinubu’s visit to Lagos to celebrate the Christmas and New Year.

Several instances of Obasa’s disrespect for the governor were reportedly brought to the president’s notice when he met with members of the ‘powerful’ Governor’s Advisory Council.

The Chairman of GAC, Tajudeen Olusi, was said to have drawn the attention of the president to how highly the governor’s office was held in the state when he was governor between 1999 and 2007.

The GAC chairman was said to have told the president that the disrespect that Governor Sanwo-Olu had suffered at the hands of the former speaker was no longer acceptable. Olusi reportedly mentioned instances when the former speaker disrespected the governor, including one instance where some elders had to physically intervene and reprimand the Speaker.

Many accused the former Speaker of beginning to see himself as an emperor.

While many said Obasa’s removal was not unexpected for any discerning watcher of Lagos politics.

Now, the question on the lips of many is that if his political career is on the precipice.