• Why Obasa, Meranda May Resign Soon
Upon President Bola Tinubu’s, GCFR, return from his last official trip to Ethiopia, respected national leaders of southwest extraction commenced moves to convince the president to empanel them to go find means of finally resolving the lingering Lagos State House of Assembly speakership impasse.
Specifically, Theliberationnews sources revealed that statesmen including Chief Bisi Akande, erstwhile national chairman and former Osun State governor and Akinrogun Olusegun Osoba, journalism legend and former Ogun State governor were saddled by the president to intervene in the matter and bring it to a denouement.
Theliberationnews gathered, from a reliable source, that a president’s two-man wisemen commenced the resolution job over the weekend when they summoned the lawmakers to Lagos House, Marina.
Present at this initial meeting was the host, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Others were Chief Akande, Akinrogun Osoba with the roles of Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, Honourable James Faleke, Dr Muiz Banire, SAN that were also present at the Saturday meeting not immediately ascertained.
Sources further revealed that the meeting held under a convivial atmosphere with Akande informing the lawmakers of their mission as approved by the president. He informed his audience of the directive of the president that the removed Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa should be returned and that Rt. Hon. Mojisola Meranda should resign and be restored back to her former deputy speaker’s position.
Three lawmakers including Honourables Abiodun Tobun, Kehinde Joseph and Moshood Aro spoke on behalf of their colleagues. And they unanimously expressed their objections to the return of Obasa. Meranda sat quietly in their midst without saying a word.
At that point, Theliberationnews was reliably informed that the former Osun State governor told them that the presidential team will have to meet with other stakeholders including the APC party leadership, the Governor’s Advisory Council(GAC) members and Obasa, the removed speaker before Sunday noon to hear their sides of the story.
The lawmakers were however told to reconvened at Marina on Sunday evening to hear the outcome of the elders’ engagements with all the stakeholders. All through the Saturday meeting, the Governor was quiet and did not make any comment. This might not be unconnected with the general notion that he was the brain behind Obasa’s removal that has earned Mr Governor serious presidential reprimand.
When the meeting reconvened on Sunday, the statesmen, now joined by the president’s bosom friend and chairman of NNPCL board, Chief Pius Akinyelure, engaged the lawmakers by informing them that they had met with Obasa, the party leadership and the GAC members. Muiz Banire with the exception of James Faleke was also at Sunday meeting. The larger consensus, according to the presidential wise men’s findings from the stakeholders is that Obasa should not be allowed to return.
There and then, the elders told them that, moving forward Meranda will have to resign and return to her previous position anytime this week.
Also, Obasa, the removed Speaker and the president’s preferred choice is recommended for political soft landing that will see him return and later resign. Chief Akande, speaking for the team also informed the lawmakers that they cannot eat their cake and still have it.
Since they refused to take Obasa back, a rebellious position that is in flagrant defiance of the president’s position, they were told to be prepared to contend with whoever is picked for them as Speaker from Lagos West.
However, the recommendation of the 2-Man elder statesmen plus Chief Akinyelure, according to Theliberationnews sources is subject to the approval of President Tinubu.
In the interim, in answering a question from one of the lawmakers on who should preside over the assembly’s session, Chief Akande said that Meranda should still be presiding. Unlike the Saturday meeting, Governor Sanwo-Olu told the lawmakers to be prepared to accept the decisions reached by the statesmen on presidential assignment.
However, the decisions by the presidential wisemen, according to Theliberationnews sources, remain advisory and may still be adjusted when presented to the president.
As the political public awaits how the Lagos speakership brouhaha will be finally resolved, the rebellious stance of the lawmakers against the president’s demand for the return of Obasa, if only for a short term to prepare for his final resignation may have future consequences.
Theliberationnews reported that some lawmakers planned the putsch while the assembly was on recess. Majority of the members reconvened to perpetuate the removal of Obasa who was away in the United States of America on January 23,2025.
Ever since then, peace has eluded the assembly and even Obasa has approached the court to challenge the legality of his removal.
