Lagos GAC moves to resolve controversy surrounding Obasa’s removal

By Sodiq Adelakun

The Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos has stepped in to address the ongoing controversy following the removal of Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

The resolution efforts were discussed during a closed-door meeting held by the GAC over the weekend, aimed at uniting the party and resolving internal disputes.

The GAC, which is the highest decision-making body of the APC in Lagos, includes influential party figures such as former governors, senators, and chieftains.

According to an anonymous APC source, the meeting was convened based on President Bola Tinubu’s directive to avoid further polarization within the party ranks.

Mudashiru Obasa, who was removed from his position as Speaker on January 13, 2025, has consistently argued that his removal was unconstitutional and that due process was not followed.

His exit followed allegations of financial misconduct, high-handedness, and other accusations, which he denies. Obasa, who has been a prominent lawmaker for over two decades, insists that the removal was politically motivated and that it took place while he was out of the country.

The unfolding events have led to divisions within the GAC, with the Justice Forum (JF) and Mandate Movement (MM) factions showing differing views on the removal.

The MM faction, which includes Obasa and several loyalists, supports his reinstatement, while JF members, such as Prince Olusi and Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, have remained more neutral or opposed to his return.

Despite the internal conflict, the GAC has emphasised that the matter would be resolved “in a family way,” using the party’s established conflict resolution mechanisms.

APC chieftains have also downplayed the possibility of Obasa defecting to an opposition party, citing his long-standing allegiance to the party and his close ties to Tinubu.

Some members of the Lagos State House of Assembly have backed Obasa’s removal, while others have called it illegal.

This has been further complicated by recent statements from civil society groups and human rights organizations, some supporting Obasa, while others support the Assembly’s decision.

The political tensions have also led to the questioning of several lawmakers by the Department of State Services (DSS) over the legality of the removal.

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