President Bola Tinubu has stepped in to resolve the leadership crisis rocking the Lagos State House of Assembly, following a crucial meeting with the 40 legislators at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, and his deputy, Mojisola Meranda, were present at the meeting, which sources described as productive.
According to insiders, Tinubu, concerned about the potential impact of the crisis on his second-term ambitions and the growing division in Lagos politics, decided to mediate personally.
He reportedly assured all parties that their interests would be protected and urged the lawmakers to work together while avoiding external interference in their affairs.
Obasa, who arrived separately at about 2:50 pm, was led into the President’s office, while the rest of the lawmakers came in two coaster buses.
After the closed-door meeting, the legislators emerged singing Tinubu’s popular political slogan, “On your mandate, we shall stand,” signaling their renewed loyalty to him.
The crisis in the Lagos Assembly began on January 13 when some lawmakers impeached Obasa.
However, he was reinstated on March 3 after intervention by key figures in the state’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the powerful Governing Advisory Council (GAC).
His return was part of an agreement that required Meranda, who had replaced him, to step down. Obasa, in turn, was expected to resign afterward.
However, tensions resurfaced when Obasa accused Meranda of misappropriating over N5 billion to procure SUVs for lawmakers.
Shortly after resuming office, he adjourned plenary indefinitely—a move some observers believe had backing from influential political figures.
A lawmaker who attended the Villa meeting confirmed that Tinubu had successfully brokered peace and that the Assembly would now focus on its legislative duties in the interest of Lagos.
Asked about the role of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the GAC in the dispute, he simply responded, “You can see we all came out smiling. No matter what happened, the final decision rests with Mr. President.”
Lagos APC spokesperson Seye Oladejo stated that while he did not have full details of the meeting’s outcome, indications suggested that Tinubu had effectively settled the dispute.
He also criticized attempts by some individuals to frame the crisis as a conflict between indigenes and non-indigenes, warning that such divisions could destabilize the state.
Bashorun Olorunfumi, a senior GAC member from Ikorodu, expressed disappointment over Obasa’s actions, particularly his move to embarrass Meranda after being reinstated.
He dismissed claims that the GAC was manipulating the situation along ethnic lines, emphasizing that their primary concern was ensuring stability in the Assembly.
While Olorunfumi was unaware of the lawmakers’ meeting with Tinubu until it was reported in the media, he welcomed the President’s intervention, saying, “If this move restores peace in the Assembly, then it is a positive development.”
