Toba Owojaiye reporting
Lagos, Nigeria
The political structure of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is facing an unprecedented crisis following the removal of Mudasiru Obasa as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly. In what many have described as the first major challenge to Tinubu’s dominance in Lagos politics, state lawmakers moved against Obasa without consulting the President, a move that has caused deep divisions within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Truth Live News gathered that, Hon Obasa, who had held the speakership since 2015, was removed on January 13 by 36 lawmakers over allegations of misconduct, abuse of office, and financial mismanagement. His removal sparked intense political maneuvering, with Tinubu reportedly directing the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) to persuade the lawmakers to reinstate him—an order they have largely ignored.
Sources close to Tinubu revealed that the President was not consulted before the lawmakers took action, a development that reportedly left him “embarrassed” and questioning why key GAC members supported Obasa’s removal.
“The President is not happy that the lawmakers and the GAC acted in this manner. He feels betrayed. You know the level of control he has in Lagos. Nobody wields absolute power without other forces supporting them, especially in Lagos politics. For them to have taken such action without his blessing, it amounts to disloyalty and a betrayal of trust,” a high-ranking APC chieftain said.
The crisis has since escalated, with 37 out of 39 lawmakers voting against reinstating Obasa, despite their apology and reaffirmation of loyalty to Tinubu at a meeting held at the Governor’s Lodge in Marina, Lagos. The lawmakers later wrote a letter to the President explaining why they could not reinstate Obasa, but six GAC members sent to deliver the letter to Tinubu in Abuja were reportedly unable to meet him.
Analysts and party insiders point to three key factors fueling this crisis:
– The 2027 Governorship Election – Obasa was considered a strong contender for the Lagos governorship, and his removal is seen as a move to stifle his ambition. Many GAC members, particularly Lagos indigenes, reportedly played a role in his ouster to prevent him from gaining further influence.
– Factional Rivalry Within APC – Obasa belongs to the Mandate group, a faction within the Lagos APC, while many lawmakers and GAC members are affiliated with the rival Justice Forum. The power struggle between these groups over control of the party ahead of 2027 is believed to be a major reason for his removal.
– Indigene vs. Non-Indigene Power Struggle – Lagos APC has long been dominated by politicians with ties to Tinubu, many of whom are not Lagos indigenes. However, growing agitation among indigenes for greater control of the state’s political structure has created tension within the party.
A source within the party explained, “After this, the APC and the progressive structure in Lagos may change permanently. What happened is unprecedented. This crisis has created distrust. Political betrayal of this magnitude cannot be overlooked. It necessitates a strategic realignment to prevent a recurrence.”
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has distanced himself from Obasa’s removal, describing it as a strictly legislative affair devoid of interference from the state government. His Special Adviser on Media & Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, stated, “It is purely a legislative matter, and the Assembly handled it the best way they could. It has nothing to do with the governor.”
However, some APC insiders believe Sanwo-Olu played a more active role than he admits. “The governor is playing the devil’s advocate. Some say he is the major financier of this entire situation and is the one ensuring that the President’s directive is not followed,” one party leader alleged.
The unfolding crisis poses a serious challenge to Tinubu’s grip on Lagos, a state he has controlled politically for over two decades. The refusal of lawmakers to obey his directive raises questions about whether his influence is waning or if he will emerge stronger from the challenge.
“The situation now is a test of wills—who will blink first? The President has insisted that they comply with his directive to reinstate Obasa, but they have not done so. It is almost as if they are challenging Tinubu’s authority in Lagos. Even before Tinubu became President, he maintained control over the state. Now, they are dealing with someone who has always emerged victorious in political battles. This crisis is a significant test for him,” a source said.
With Lagos politics now at a crossroads, the coming weeks will determine whether Tinubu reasserts his dominance or if the state’s political structure begins to shift away from his control. Either way, this episode has exposed deep cracks within the ruling APC and signaled a potential power shift that could redefine the political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections.