The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has responded to critics regarding his purported aspiration to the governorship of Lagos State, Nigeria’s commercial capital. In a recent session following Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s ₦3 trillion budget proposal for 2025, Obasa clarified his position and addressed the misinterpretations of his actions.
He said while he is not “too young or lacking experience to run,” and whereas “those who have been before me are not better off,” his “ambition to become governor is secondary.”
Mr. Obasa clarified that all he was doing was strengthening the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), through the Mandate group, which he said “blackmailers” had misconstrued as personal governorship aspirations.
“May I use this medium to sensitize us more on the need to build and sustain our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), regarding our focus for 2027. We need to continue to mobilize people just as I do frequently,” Obasa said.
He continued, “I have made it a personal task to mobilize people on the platform of Mandate, which some political detractors have misconstrued as being a selfish aspiration on the ground for me to become governor of the state. There is the need, however, to correct this wrong impression. My concern is about building our party, and whatever we do is mainly for this cause.”
Legislative Independence Defended
The Speaker used the opportunity to reaffirm the independence of the legislative arm. He had been accused of pandering to the executive arm and the governor because he sought favor for his governorship ambition.
Obasa declared, “This House, of course, recognizes this and will always be independent, even though we work hand-in-hand with other arms of government. It is also important to state here that this House is a sanctuary and temple, just like every other temple anywhere where we all worship.”
He said, “No amount of intimidation or coercion will disintegrate or change the belief of all the members of this institution!”
He also promised Governor Sanwo-Olu a speedy scrutiny and passage of the bill.
Mr. Obasa’s statements may have been prompted by the recent declaration of support from the Coalition of Nigerian Youth Leaders (CONYL) for Mr. Seyi Tinubu, the son of Nigeria’s president, Bola Tinubu, for the governorship of the state in 2027.
Nigeria’s next general election is scheduled for 2027.
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