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Obasa’s Impeachment Divides Lagos APC, Opposition Eyes Defection

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1 month ago

Feb 1, 2025.

Obasa's Resignation Not Part Of The Peace Deal - Lagos APC

Obasa’s impeachment has deepened division within Lagos APC.
PDP and LP express willingness to welcome him if he leaves the APC.
Lagos Assembly awaits Obasa’s response before deciding on further action.

The removal of the former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has deepened the division within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, even as opposition parties express readiness to welcome him should he consider leaving the ruling party.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Obasa was impeached on January 13, 2025, by a majority of lawmakers over allegations of misconduct and financial misappropriation. However, his removal has sparked controversy within the party, leading to conflicting reactions among members of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), the highest decision-making body of the APC in Lagos.

The division became evident when two GAC members, Senator Anthony Adefuye and Chief Muraina Taiwo, opposed Obasa’s removal, only to be met with strong criticism from another GAC member, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, who dismissed their remarks as “childish and inconsequential.”

Adefuye, in an interview with Sunday PUNCH, condemned the impeachment process, while Taiwo described the lawmakers’ actions as illegal and disrespectful to party leadership. “The GAC is split over the matter, but we will defer to our leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to resolve the crisis,” Taiwo said in a WhatsApp message.

However, Obanikoro rebuked them, urging party leaders to refrain from making hasty statements about the issue.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State House of Assembly has stated that it expects Obasa to appear before it so it can determine the next course of action, including a possible probe.

As of the time of filing this report, it remained unclear whether the former Speaker had responded to the Assembly’s request, as the House spokesperson, Olukayode Ogundipe, did not return calls on Friday.

Amid the growing crisis, opposition parties in Lagos have expressed their willingness to welcome Obasa should he choose to leave the APC.

The Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos, Benedict Tai, said the party would conduct proper vetting if Obasa decided to join them.

“If we accept him, we will put checks and balances in place because no one can just come in and demand a position. The person must have spent years in the party. We need to be sure he isn’t coming to disrupt the party, as some have done in the past,” Tai stated.

Tai further noted that the PDP viewed the division in the APC as an opportunity to strengthen its position in the state.

“If disunity weakens their party, then we hope it worsens for them. They are our main challenge. The current situation in Lagos is favourable for the PDP, provided we learn from our mistakes and take advantage of their shortcomings,” he added.

Similarly, the Labour Party (LP) in Lagos has signaled its openness to receiving Obasa ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

The party’s Chairman, Pastor Dayo Ekong, stated that Obasa would be welcomed as long as his interests aligned with the LP’s vision and principles.

“Our party is open to everyone. We don’t want to interfere in APC affairs, but if Obasa decides to join us, he will be accepted, provided his interests align with what the LP stands for,” Ekong said.

When asked whether Obasa might receive preferential treatment due to his political status and rumored governorship ambition, Ekong dismissed the notion of an automatic ticket.

“There are no automatic rights anywhere. People have been in the party before him. Everyone will go through the primaries and test their popularity. It’s not about granting an automatic ticket to anyone,” he stated.

Obasa Lagos APC

“Don’t forget that the 2023 LP governorship candidate is still in the party. But when we get to that bridge, we will cross it.”