Sanwo-Olu ‘Not Supporting’ Lagos Assembly Speaker, Obasa To Retain Seat Amid Tobun’s Challenge

The speaker has been a subject of corruption allegations in recent years.
The situation is said to be working against him in his bid to retain his speakership.
His struggle comes as Hon. Tobun of Epe constituency is challenging him for the much coveted seat.

Eko Hot Blog reports that Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, the Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, is reportedly restless over his bid to return as the chamber’s top lawmaker in the tenth assembly kicking off in a few days.

The speaker’s concern comes amid the challenge Hon. Abiodun Tobun, the member representing Epe State Constituency I, poses to his aspiration.

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According to SaharaReporters, Obasa’s restlessness stems from the lack of support from Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The online media platform quoted sources from the state legislature as saying the corruption allegations and reports on Obasa in 2021 are the “major parts of his undoing to retain the speakership seat.”

Speaker of Lagos House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa

The sources also reportedly noted that all efforts by Obasa to secure the express approval of Sanwo-Olu had failed, which made him to go to Abuja to convince “his political godfather,” President Bola Tinubu.

“His efforts still failed as the President referred all decisions on Lagos State to the GAC group of Lagos and the governor,” a source was quoted as saying.

SaharaReporters reported that Governor Sanwo-Olu is in firm control of about 20 new members-elect of the 40-seat assembly and was yet to give directive as to the direction of their vote when the new assembly is composed next week Wednesday.

Meanwhile, in a bid to covet these members, considering that he is equally not favoured by his old colleagues, Obasa is said to have invited them to a special “training” in Abeokuta, as contained in a SMS sent to those members.

It was gathered that the venue of the training was Park Inn by Radisson Hotel, Abeokuta, and the training started on Friday.

“This is the last attempt of Obasa to secure the most crucial votes, without his endorsement by either the governor or the GAC,” another insider who pleaded anonymity told the online medium.

Recall that Hon. Tobun recently confirmed his speakership aspiration to Eko Hot Blog in an exclusive interview.

An Eko Hot Blog correspondent and Hon. Abiodun Tobun during the interview

The lawmaker, who is challenging the incumbent speaker who has held the seat since 2015, told our correspondent that the time has come for a new change of leadership.

He told Eko Hot Blog that, if elected as speaker, he would represent, prioritise, and protect the interests, prosperity, and well-being of all citizens. He said he would also work collaboratively with other elected officials to take action for the betterment of all constituents.

When asked of the success of the 9th assembly, he said the assembly did “wonderfully well” under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Obasa, and lots of projects were completed.

However, Hon. Tobun set higher expectations for the 10th assembly, which he hopes to lead.

He said the House legislative agenda will concentrate more on youth empowerments, extension of health facilities to the nooks and crannies of the state, and the redevelopment and renovation of primary health centres and tertiary health centres.

Tobun won a landslide victory in the March 18 election to return to the assembly for a fourth term.