Obasa: Lagos GAC holds crucial meeting to resolve assembly crisis
Mudashiru Obasa
Obasa: Lagos GAC holds crucial meeting to resolve assembly crisis
The Governor’s Advisory Council of the All Progressives Congress, Lagos, has moved to resolve the controversy trailing the embattled former speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, following his removal.
The indication emerged at the weekend after the GAC members held a crucial closed-door meeting at an undisclosed venue to forge a common front in resolving the matter.
GAC is the apex decision-making organ of APC, whose decisions are binding on members. The council is led by Pa Tajudeen Olusi, with Mr. President Bola Tinubu as lifetime Patron.
The GAC is made up of past Governors, deputy governors, senators, elders, leaders and chieftains of the party.
Some of the members are: Henry Ajomale, Bushura Alebiosu, Abiodun Ogunleye, Murphy Adetoro, James Odunmbaku, Anthony Adefuye, S. A. Seriki, Olorunfunmi Bashorun, Rabiu Oluwa, Muriano Taiwo, Mutiu Lawal Are, Yomi Finnih, Muyiwa Sosanya, Tunde Samuel, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, Rasak Lanre, Obasa, Babatunde Balogun, Wale Edun, Babatunde Fashola, Akinwunmi Ambode, Ranti Adebule, Senator Ganiu Solomon, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, among few others.
APC chieftain, who spoke in confidence to Vanguard at the weekend, said: ”The GAC members, based on the directive of Mr. President, Tinubu, have to step in to save the party from sliding into implosion.”
“I can tell you on good authority that there is no rancour or division among the GAC members.
“As I speak with you, several underhanded meetings are going on among the members to resolve the issue amicably. The GAC members are on the same page to settle the clash in a family affair manner.
“There are conflict resolution mechanisms in the party to handle such matters. Because it has become expedient to save the party from implosion from polarisation going by some statements already flying in public space within the party ranks,” the party chieftain affirmed.
Speaking on the plan to suspend Obasa and subject him to probe, he stated,” I don’t think that would happen. APC, as I told you earlier, has a conflict resolution mechanism that will handle it accordingly. That much I can say.”
Also, speaking on chances of Obasa dumping APC for the opposition party, “Again, I don’t see that happening going by Obasa’s pedigree as a die-hard progressive who believes in democratic principles and who has always been Asiwaju’s boy from the days of Social Democratic Party, SDP.
“Don’t forget, recently, upon his return from abroad, he publicly told his supporters to stay in APC as he has no plans to dump APC. And I want to believe him on that.”
However, strong indications emerged that Obasa might not achieve his aim of returning as a speaker at the end of the day but remain an ordinary member without intimidation or persecution.
Recall that Obasa was removed in absentia by 32 out of 40 members of the state House of Assembly on January 13, 2025, over alleged financial misappropriation, misconduct, and high-handedness, among other things. He was replaced by his erstwhile deputy Mojisola Lasbat Meranda as substantive speaker, leading to conflicting reactions among members of the GAC, party faithful, and the general public.
However, the divergent views among GAC members stemmed from two groups within the council, which includes members of the Justice Forum (JF) and the Mandate Movement (MM).
Some of the notable, influential members of MM are Obasa, Cardinal James Odumbaku, Adefuye, Senator Ganiyu Olarenwaju Solomon, the Chief of Staff to the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Tayo Ayinde, members of the state House of Assembly, and some chairmen of conference 57.
The JF members include Prince Olusi, as chairman, former Deputy Governor of Lagos State and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SSAP-SDGs), Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, the newly appointed state Coordinator for JF and member of the House of Representatives representing Ikeja Federal Constituency, James Faleke.
MM members in GAC support Obasa, while the JF members are indifferent about Obasa’s removal saga.
However, after Obasa’s removal, the unfolding events further polarised the ranks of GAC.
Some members of GAC had earlier disagreed over the process that led to the removal of Obasa.
In a recent statement, Muraina Taiwo, a member of the GAC from Isolo Constituency, faulted members of the assembly for reconvening during the house’s recess to remove Obasa.
The GAC members, Obanikoro and Adefuye, expressed divergent views over the embattled Obasa.
While Adefuye said Obasa was illegally removed, Obanikoro countered the latter, saying his statement “was careless.”
However, the GAC Secretary, Are, also said that “the brewing crisis in the Assembly is a family affair” and would be resolved in a family way.
Obanikoro, faulted a statement by Adefuye expressing support for Obasa.
Adefuye, said in a recent interview that he disagreed with the removal of Obasa.
“What he is saying is that he was illegally removed, and the procedure was faulty, and I agree with him,” the APC chieftain said.
Reacting to Adefuye’s interview, Obanikoro said the APC chieftain made the statement carelessly, adding that it was important to respect hierarchy in any organisation.
The former minister said, ” Senator Adefuye’s statement on the removal of the former Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, is very unfortunate, childish and inconsequential.
“Senator Adefuye’s comment shouldn’t have come up; as leaders, if there are serious issues of this magnitude, rushing to make a press statement or personal statement on such matters is unbecoming of a statement.
“Since GAC as a unit has not made any pronouncement on the subject matter, it is irresponsible of any member of that privileged body to go public and comment on an issue as sensitive as that.
“Moreso, our leader, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, waded in on the matter, so I believe nobody should come out individually to express an opinion based on privileged status.”
Family affair— GAC scribe
They called for calm, saying the matter would be resolved in a family way.
Obasa: Lagos GAC holds crucial meeting to resolve assembly crisis