By Ibrahim Kegbegbe
ABUJA – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, held a closed-door meeting with members of the Lagos State House of Assembly at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The meeting, which came amid the recent leadership crisis in the Assembly, was led by Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, who arrived separately from his colleagues.
Sources within the State House disclosed that the discussions centered on resolving internal disputes that have rocked the Lagos Assembly in recent months. The crisis escalated in January when Obasa was controversially removed from his position as Speaker, only to be reinstated following interventions by key political figures, including President Tinubu.
As the lawmakers exited the meeting, they were heard chanting, “On your mandate, we shall stand,” a phrase synonymous with Tinubu’s political supporters, signaling their continued allegiance to the president. However, Obasa declined to comment on the specifics of the deliberations when approached by journalists.
Political analysts suggest that Tinubu’s involvement underscores his influence in Lagos politics and his determination to maintain stability within the state’s legislative arm. The Lagos Assembly has historically been a stronghold of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and any internal division could have significant implications for governance and party unity ahead of the next election cycle.
While details of the resolutions reached in the meeting remain undisclosed, insiders indicate that the president urged the lawmakers to prioritize unity and legislative harmony to ensure effective governance in the state.
Observers believe that this intervention is crucial in preventing further political instability, as similar rifts have, in the past, threatened legislative progress in the state. With the 2027 general elections on the horizon, Tinubu’s strategic engagement with the Lagos Assembly could be a move to consolidate his political stronghold.
A History of Political Upheavals
The Lagos State House of Assembly has faced leadership tensions in the past, with internal disputes sometimes leading to unexpected shifts in power. The recent crisis surrounding Obasa’s leadership mirrors past instances where factional disagreements within the ruling APC have threatened the cohesion of the legislature.
As the dust settles from Wednesday’s meeting, political watchers will be keen to see how the Lagos Assembly navigates its internal dynamics in the coming months.
