Obasa’s Resignation Not Part of Peace Agreement – Lagos APC
LAGOS – The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has categorically dismissed speculations that the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, is required to resign as part of the agreement to resolve the recent leadership crisis within the Assembly.
Reacting to the circulating rumors, the APC spokesperson in Lagos, Seye Oladejo, clarified that no such resignation was included in the settlement terms.
“To the best of my knowledge, there was no time the arrangement for Obasa to resign came up in the terms of settlement of the crisis,” Oladejo stated in an interview with Vanguard.
When asked about the status of the lawsuit filed by Obasa in response to his impeachment, Oladejo confirmed that the Speaker is expected to withdraw the case soon. “I’m aware that any moment from now, Obasa will withdraw the lawsuit in the interest of renewed peace and progress of the House in particular and the party in general,” he added.
Closed-Door Meeting with Lawmakers
In a bid to consolidate his leadership, Obasa convened a closed-door meeting with 39 lawmakers at the assembly complex on Tuesday. The session, which commenced at approximately 2:10 p.m., was attended by key figures including the Deputy Speaker, Mrs. Mojisola Meranda.
Sources indicate that the meeting aimed to bridge the divide among legislators and foster reconciliation after weeks of intense discord.
This development follows Obasa’s re-election as Speaker on Monday, a move facilitated by the resignation of Deputy Speaker Meranda, who had briefly occupied the position.
Backdrop of the Leadership Crisis
The leadership turmoil within the Assembly can be traced back to January when lawmakers overwhelmingly voted to remove Obasa from office. His ouster was reportedly backed by over 90 percent of the Assembly members, citing allegations of poor leadership, abuse of power, frequent tardiness to plenary sessions, and intimidation of colleagues.
Obasa, however, challenged the impeachment, arguing that the legislators had failed to adhere to the constitutional procedures required for his removal. He also refuted allegations of financial misappropriation, labeling them as “impossible.”
Governor’s Advisory Council’s Intervention
To resolve the escalating crisis, the Governor’s Advisory Council, led by veteran politician Pa Tajudeen Olusi, alongside APC Chairman Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi and Lagos Attorney-General Lawal Pedro, intervened in negotiations with the lawmakers opposed to Obasa’s leadership.
Speculations emerged that a compromise had been reached, wherein Meranda would step down, allowing Obasa to reclaim the Speakership. However, some lawmakers allegedly insisted on a further step: that Obasa, after being reinstated, would resign within 48 hours to pave the way for a new Speaker from Lagos West, a demand reportedly supported by 34 lawmakers.
Despite these claims, there has been no official confirmation of such an agreement, and Obasa’s return to office appears to be firm.
As tensions within the Assembly gradually ease, political observers continue to watch the unfolding events closely, with the expectation that the leadership crisis will ultimately be put to rest in the interest of governance and legislative stability in Lagos State.
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Obasa’s Resignation Not Part of Peace Agreement – Lagos APC