Breaking: Tinubu’s Intervention Ensures Obasa Remains Speaker OF Lagos Assembly, Source Confirms

The resolution followed a closed-door meeting on Wednesday between Tinubu and all 40 lawmakers at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. This decision contradicts the recommendations of a panel formed to mediate the crisis.

The panel, headed by former Osun State Governor Chief Bisi Akande and former Ogun State Governor Chief Gbenga Daniel, along with the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), had previously advised that Obasa step down after his reinstatement to allow for a new leadership balance.

Deal Broken as Obasa Refuses to Step Down

Initially, the panel had recommended that Mojisola Meranda resign as Speaker to pave the way for Obasa’s return, with the expectation that he would also step down shortly afterward, allowing for the emergence of a new Speaker from Lagos West to maintain political balance.

On March 3, 2025, 49 days after Obasa’s impeachment, Meranda resigned and was re-elected as Deputy Speaker, while Obasa was reinstated as Speaker in line with the understanding. However, contrary to the agreement, Obasa adjourned the Assembly indefinitely and refused to step down, defying the panel’s recommendation.

Obasa had been removed on January 13, 2025, by 35 lawmakers who accused him of financial mismanagement, high-handedness, and authoritarian leadership. Meranda was installed as Speaker but later stepped down under pressure from party leaders.

Tinubu Brokers Peace Deal

Lawmakers arrived at the Presidential Villa around 2 pm on Wednesday in Coaster buses, where they were ushered into the President’s office. Meranda and her colleagues arrived together, while Obasa arrived separately at around 3 pm. The meeting was held behind closed doors.

A Presidency official, speaking anonymously to Punch, confirmed that Tinubu successfully brokered peace among the factions. The President instructed lawmakers to work with Obasa to ensure stability in the Assembly and the state.

“Tinubu met with the lawmakers behind closed doors, discussed their grievances, and resolved the issues. As a result, Obasa will remain as Speaker. His position is no longer in jeopardy, and all lawmakers have agreed to work with him. They also had a photo session with the President after the meeting, which went well,” the source said.

While some stakeholders are dissatisfied with the abandonment of the original agreement, the source assured that the President would engage all aggrieved parties to maintain unity.