The ongoing division within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State has been exacerbated by the recent removal of former House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa. Following his impeachment on January 13, 2025, over alleged misconduct and financial misappropriation, opposition parties have expressed interest in wooing him if he decides to leave the ruling party.
The development has generated mixed reactions among members of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), which is the highest decision-making body within the Lagos APC. The rift deepened when two GAC members, Senator Anthony Adefuye and Chief Muraina Taiwo, who were opposed to Obasa's impeachment, faced criticism from Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, another member of the council. Obanikoro dismissed their statements, labeling them “childish and inconsequential.”
In an interview with Sunday PUNCH, Adefuye strongly condemned the process leading to Obasa’s impeachment, while Taiwo took to WhatsApp, calling the action by the lawmakers “illegal,” and accusing them of showing “total disregard and clear disrespect for leadership.” He further claimed that the GAC was divided on the issue but emphasized that they would defer to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to resolve the matter. On the other hand, Obanikoro urged party leaders to refrain from making hasty comments regarding the controversy.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State House of Assembly has said that it expects Obasa to return to the legislature before any further action is taken, including a potential investigation into his conduct. As of the time of this report, it was unclear whether the former Speaker had presented himself before the Assembly, as spokesperson Olukayode Ogundipe did not respond to inquiries made on Friday.
Amidst the turmoil within the APC, opposition parties have signaled that they would be open to welcoming Obasa should he decide to leave the ruling party. Benedict Tai, the Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos, stated that while the party would accept Obasa, they would implement proper measures to ensure that his entry would not disrupt the internal dynamics of the party. “No one can just come in and demand a position. The person must have spent years in the party. We need to be sure he isn’t joining to destabilize us, as has happened in the past,” Tai explained.
Tai also mentioned that the PDP would look to capitalize on the ongoing crisis within the APC. “If internal strife weakens their party, we hope it worsens for them. They are our biggest obstacle. The situation in Lagos favors the PDP, provided we learn from past mistakes and seize this opportunity,” he said.
In addition to the PDP, the Labour Party (LP) in Lagos has also expressed its openness to Obasa’s potential defection, particularly in light of the upcoming 2027 governorship election. LP Chairman, Pastor Dayo Ekong, stated that Obasa would be welcomed if his goals were aligned with the party’s principles. “The Labour Party is open to everyone. While we do not wish to meddle in APC affairs, if Obasa decides to join us, he will be accepted—provided his interests align with our principles,” Ekong stated.
When asked about the possibility of Obasa receiving special treatment due to his political influence and rumored ambitions for the governorship position, Ekong clarified that no individual would be given automatic privileges. “There are no guaranteed rights anywhere. He would have to go through the primaries like everyone else. The 2023 LP governorship candidate is still in the party, and when the time comes, we will address the situation accordingly,” she explained.
