By Kolawole Ojebisi
In the next few hours, the political dynamics of Lagos State may witness a change depending on the outcome of an ongoing meeting between the Governor’s Advisory Council, GAC, of the Lagos All Progressives Congress, APC, Lagos and other political bigwigs in the state.
The meeting which is termed an “emergency but crucial” meeting is convened to addresss the lingering leadership crisis in the state House of Assembly.
The meeting is scheduled to hold at the Lagos House Marina, the official residence of the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
It’s believed that the meeting if favourable to Obasa may lead to the restoration of his status as speaker of the Lagos State Assembly.
GAC is the apex decision-making organ of APC, whose decisions are binding on members. The council is led by Pa Tajudeen Olusi, with President Bola Tinubu as a lifetime patron.
The GAC held a similar meeting about two weeks ago at the same venue over developments at the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Also, the Governor is expected to hold the weekly Monday Executive Council meeting simultaneously, which is expected to also deliberate on the crisis in the legislative arm of government with the aim of finding a lasting and amicable solution.
Recall that the embattled former Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, was removed in absentia by 32 out of 40 members of the state House of Assembly on January 13, 2025, over alleged financial misappropriation, misconduct, high-handedness, among others, and replaced with his erstwhile deputy, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, as substantive Speaker,
This development has led to conflicting reactions among members of the GAC, party faithful, as well as the general public.
However, in the wake of Obasa’s removal, the unfolding events further polarised the ranks of GAC.
Some members of GAC had earlier disagreed over the process that led to the removal of Obasa.
A member of the GAC, Muraina Taiwo, from Isolo Constituency, in a recent statement, faulted members of the Assembly, for reconvening during recess of the house to remove Obasa.
Earlier, the GAC members, Musiliu Obanikoro and Senator Anthony Adefuye, expressed divergent views over the embattled Obasa.
While Adefuye said Obasa was illegally removed, Obanikoro countered the latter, saying his statement “was careless.”
However, the GAC Secretary, Mutiu Are, also said that “the brewing crisis in the Assembly is a family affair” and would be resolved in a family way.
According to reports at the weekend, GAC has moved to resolve amicably the imbroglio following Obasa’s removal.
