From the show of shame that played out during the 2025 budget presentation by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, it was not hard to tell that the days of the former speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, was numbered. Shola Oyeyipo writes


Indeed, those who fail to learn from history always end up offering themselves as the guinea pig of a repeat history. All the signs were there that the former speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, was driving above the specified speed limit for the period he held sway.

He not only forgot hierarchy, party discipline and political leadership, he had started to think himself an institution, such that he was suddenly dubbed an emperor, who once walked out on the political leaders in the state.

True to his reign, he had absolute control of the assembly and treated his colleagues whichever he deemed fit, often as though they were lesser representatives of their own constituents.

Some even insinuated his subduing control was beyond the ordinary. While that might seem a bit an exaggeration, that he was totally in charge was not subject to debate.

Indications that trouble might be lurking in the corner for Obasa started to manifest when some of the leaders of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), met with President Bola Tinubu in December last year and upbraided the speaker for alleged insubordination to the authorities in the state.

Chairman of GAC, Alhaji Tajudeen Olusi, had reportedly told the president, at a meeting of a select few that, he wanted to give him a situation report on the state of play in the state.

The old man, who allegedly reminded the president of how highly the governor’s office was held in the state, when he was governor between 1999 and 2007, reportedly told the president that the disrespect that Sanwo-Olu had suffered in the hands of the former speaker was no longer acceptable.

He, according to sources privy to the meeting, went on to reel off instances, which they considered disrespectful, including the one they have had to physically intervene and reprimand the speaker for.

Finally, when Tinubu spoke, he was said to have shown obvious disdain over the alleged report by the GAC leadership on the speaker and went on to openly lash him for not just disrespecting the governor and his office, but also for poorly managing the politics of the state as partner.

According to a presidency source, who hinted at the development to THISDAY, and commended the president for stepping into the Lagos political situation, Tinubu allegedly cited the case of a bill being put forward by the assembly to enable them sack the chairman of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC).

He said the president scoffed at what he called a huge joke, presided over by the speaker, and added that: “Which governor will sign such a bill into law, anyway.”

At the end, they warned Obasa, against further disrespecting Sanwo-Olu, and the office of the governor under whatever guise. But the damage had been done and the resolve to get rid of him had also been concluded.

But a precursor to this was the show of shame at the hollowed chamber of the state assembly, last year. Obasa turned what was meant to be a gathering for intellectual engagement into a bitter political exchange, not minding the bigger implication for Lagos.

The former speaker seized the occasion of the 2025 budget presentation by Sanwo-Olu to address some of his political concerns – majorly personal. But his immaturity was quickly pointed out, especially as it concerned the good of the state.

Even when the errors were pointed out to him, by those who meant well, and condemned him for doing injustice to Lagos, he still went on to do a rejoinder, justifying his infantile embrace.

Hear him: “Those who block the pathway of water must contend with the consequences of blockages because Water will always find its course.

“When a pathway for free and unhindered communication is obstructed, consequences are inevitable. This aptly describes the events during Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s budget presentation last Thursday at the Lagos Assembly.

“If the Speaker hadn’t seized the opportunity of the occasion to voice out his concerns, after agonising months of silenced and blocked communication channels, I wondered when that would be, given the overpowering impulse of the Executive to muscle up the people’s parliament.

Forumites:
No one knows tomorrow. Ask Wike… Tinubu can’t be Godfather forever.

Brendaniel:
The Southwest has produced the worst form of politics to the Nigerian system and that's one major reason the country is where it is today, thanks to Tinubu...

That's why some of them think it will work in Rivers state

Brendaniel:
The Southwest has produced the worst form of politics to the Nigerian system and that's one major reason the country is where it is today, thanks to Tinubu...

That's why some of them think it will work in Rivers state

Forumites:
No one knows tomorrow. Ask Wike… Tinubu can’t be Godfather forever.

SatoshiX:

And the worst form of democracy is what's making your people troop into the same Southwest on a daily basis.

AbuTwins:
He has been called the Emperor!

Now he's no more than a rat, an advanced one!

Know always that power is transient!

temitope27:
can you explain better please

Brendaniel:


Shut up, before Tinubu became governor we have been coming and we will keep coming, we are explorers we travel everywhere in the world to make money...