…GAC Silent After Key Meeting
Amid widespread reports alleging that President Bola Tinubu had directed the Lagos State House of Assembly to reinstate the ousted Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, the newly elected Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, received a warm welcome from Assembly staff yesterday. Members of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) celebrated her arrival, singing her praises and pledging their loyalty.
The viral report, which surfaced online on Sunday, claimed that Tinubu had urged lawmakers to reinstate Obasa just three weeks after his removal.
According to these claims, the President purportedly argued that the political cost of Obasa’s ouster outweighed the benefits of holding him accountable for alleged corruption and abuse of office.
“The President has sent instructions that we should start preparing to let him come back,” an unnamed Lagos politician allegedly told the platform. The report further suggested that Obasa’s return would be temporary, allowing him to resign on his terms.
However, lawmakers within the Assembly have dismissed these claims, insisting that Obasa’s reinstatement remains unlikely, given the overwhelming support for his removal. One legislator, speaking anonymously, likened the idea of bringing Obasa back to “pacifying a snake after cutting off its head.”
Obasa was ousted on January 13 by 32 out of 40 Assembly members over allegations of misconduct, financial misappropriation, breach of public trust, and high-handedness. His successor, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, has since gained strong backing, with endorsements from key political figures, including President Tinubu, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and senior members of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC).
A lawmaker, also speaking anonymously, dismissed the reinstatement reports as false.
“This is nothing but fake news. She has met with the President, the governor, the GAC, and past Assembly members from the first to the ninth Assemblies. There have also been numerous courtesy calls and endorsements confirming her leadership,” the lawmaker stated.
Hopes that the controversy surrounding Obasa’s removal would be resolved were dashed yesterday after the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) met at the State House, Marina. Despite expectations, the GAC declined to comment on the outcome of the meeting, leaving journalists who had gathered for updates disappointed.
Sources indicate that the GAC remains divided, with some members supporting Obasa’s removal while others oppose it. In a previous meeting, they had reportedly agreed to seek President Tinubu’s final decision on the matter. It remains unclear whether the GAC is awaiting Tinubu’s directive before making a formal announcement.
Meanwhile, speculation is growing that even if Obasa is not reinstated, political maneuvering may lead to Speaker Meranda stepping down in favor of a lawmaker from Lagos West Senatorial District to maintain political balance.
