• New Speaker, lawmakers visit Sanwo-Olu
• Nemesis remembered Obasa, says ex-minister
Following the removal of Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday, the atmosphere at the Assembly Complex has returned to normal.
The new Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, and members of the House used the opportunity to visit the Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, at the Lagos House, Marina.
Obasa’s removal seems to be long overdue, as it is being hailed by many, including the highest political decision-making body with the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Lagos, Governance Advisory Council (GAC), and former Minister of Communications and Alternate Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT) of De Renaissance Patriots, Maj-Gen Tajudeen Olanrewaju (rtd).
While GAC okayed his removal and blessed his successor, Olanrewaju saw the impeachment as karma at play.
Security has been scaled down at the complex, although changes in security personnel have been made at key positions within and around the premises.
Sources revealed that the lawmakers visited Sanwo-Olu earlier, but nothing was revealed regarding their discussions.
They indicated that updates would be provided when necessary, as they were reportedly instructed to withhold any information for now.
It was also reported that the mace, which was nearly seized by thugs allegedly loyal to Obasa, is secure.
Most of Obasa’s appointees did not show up, and activities within the Assembly were slow, yesterday, likely awaiting directives from the new Speaker.
The visit to Marina, it was gathered, was not unconnected with the change in leadership at the Assembly.
During an emergency plenary on Monday, 90 per cent of the lawmakers unanimously impeached Obasa, who was on holiday overseas, on allegations bordering on misuse of power and lack of respect for members of the House.
When contacted on the purpose of the visit to the Lagos House, the lawmakers refused to comment.
But a legislative aide, who craved anonymity, told newsmen that Sanwo-Olu held a closed-door meeting with the lawmakers where he gave a standing instruction to them not to grant any interview on happenings within the House.
The source stated that the position was adopted in order not to overheat the already tense Lagos polity.
Meranda revealed GAC’s action in a chat with journalists after lawmakers from the Assembly met with the political body at Marina.
The new Speaker, flanked by some lawmakers, said the lawmakers specifically came to seek the blessings of GAC, adding that members of the House were happy that GAC blessed the change.
Similarly, the Conference 57 of Local Government and Local Council Development Area Chairmen in Lagos congratulated Meranda on her election as the first female Speaker of Lagos Assembly.
In a statement by its Chairman, Alabi David, and Public Relations Officer (PRO), Olusesan Daini, Conference 57 praised Meranda’s dedication, competence and commitment to service, saying her emergence reflected the state’s progressive ideals and inclusive governance ethos.
They expressed trust in Meranda’s ability to deliver robust legislative leadership, foster development and uphold democratic principles.
The council chairmen pledged to support and collaborate with the new Speaker for a successful tenure.
Special Adviser (SA) to Governor Sanwo-Olu on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, exonerated the governor from Obasa’s ordeal.
Akosile maintained that Sanwo-Olu had no hand in the matter, as he was busy with a more serious matter of taking care of the over 20 million Lagos population.
He stated, “What happened in the hallowed chamber of the House of Assembly was purely the prerogative of the legislators. I mean, we saw it in the media, just like you, that the legislators removed the Speaker. We watched like every other person. The governor, too, must have watched it like any other person.
“I don’t think there is anything more to it than that.”
The former minister, in a statement by the Media Office of De Renaissance Patriots Foundation, yesterday, referencing his earlier warning to Obasa to allow an indigene of Lagos to emerge for the number three position during the 2023 process.
Olanrewaju affirmed that the third spiritual law of success is the Law of Karma.
He stated, “Karma is both action and the consequences of that action; it is cause and effect simultaneously, because every action generates a force of energy that returns to us in like kind.
“There is nothing unfamiliar about the Law of Karma. Everybody has heard the expression, ‘What you sow is what you reap,’” he said.
The former minister asserted that Obasa, while in office, overstepped his political boundaries in many ways.
According to him, it is a fact that politicians, while playing their political ping pong of arrogance and seeking more power in search of a dynastic crown, particularly in Lagos, ignored the slippery ground.
He, however, noted that the road to the 2027 electoral contest would present never-ending challenges and compromises, observing that many politicians never realised that political power was not within their grasp but in the hands of powerbrokers and a kingmaker.
Olanrewaju added, “Like the ancient Chinese emperors, who suffered fools gladly, it is not an accident that Obasa’s open declaration to show his face without authorisation in the gubernatorial ring is an unpardonable ‘harakiri.’”
