Snide Remarks, Others Contribute to Reasons for Obasa’s Impeachment 

Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, born on November 11, 1972, in Agege, Lagos had his formative years reflecting the quintessential Lagos upbringing, as he had all his education in the south western state.

He attended St. Thomas Aquinas Primary School in Surulere, Lagos, and then proceeded to Archbishop Agege Memorial Secondary School in Mushin, Ilasamaja, where he earned his West African School Certificate. Obtaining a LLB, Obasa finished his study at the Lagos State University in 2006.

His political journey began in 1999 as a councilor in the Agege Local Government under the Alliance for Democracy. He later rose to become a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly in 2007, where he was re-elected in 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2023 respectively. This saw him becoming the Speaker of the hallow chamber in its 9th and 10th assembly. 

Despite this glowing political career, Obasa’s rise, was not without controversy. Mudashiru Obasa’s impeachment as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly yesterday was the result of a series of controversies that had been brewing for years.

One of the most significant factors was his increasingly strained relationship with Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. While Sanwo-Olu was his boy before he became the governor, the speaker forgot to acknowledge the hierarchy that exists afterwards.

This became a major issue within the political weather of the state and reports indicated that his defiant attitude towards the governor caught the attention of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), which eventually reported him to President Bola Tinubu who in turn called him to order but with no change.

Allegations of corruption was also perceived to be factor to the impeachment. In 2020, Sahara Reporters accused him of misappropriating public funds, particularly a staggering claim that he spent #17 billion to construct a gate leading to the Lagos State Assembly. 

Although Obasa vehemently denied these allegations, claiming they were politically motivated.  His repeated denials did little to quell the growing perception that he was misusing his position for personal gain. 

The case was further complicated when Obasa was questioned by the EFCC, although no formal charges were brought against him. Despite this, the controversy surrounding his finances contributed heavily to his eventual impeachment.

The rejection of some of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s commissioner nominees in 2023 for the post of commissioners in the state was another perceived reason. For the first time since 1999, the Lagos State House of Assembly refused to approve some of the governor’s nominees. 

While some Assembly members claimed that the rejections were due to the nominees’ lack of electoral value, many saw it as a personal affront to the governor, fueled by Obasa’s political ambitions. 

This defiance, along with other signs of discord between the executive and legislative arms of the state government, laid the foundation for the eventual rift that would cost Obasa his position. Infact, rumors swirled that the governor supported a rival candidate against Obasa in the race for the speaker.

Another key reason for Obasa’s impeachment was his open defiance of party directives. This was most evident when he instructed lawmakers to purchase festive gifts for his political movement, which many saw as a blatant disregard for the party’s internal rules. 

His actions were viewed as an attempt to assert his control and influence over party members. This act of insubordination, along with other political maneuvers, alienated key figures within the party, paralleled him against them  and further tarnished his standing, both within the Assembly and among the political elite in the state. 

Furthermore, the creation of the “Obasa Support Group” across Lagos State, in about 20 local government areas and council development areas, raised serious questions about his political ambitions; especially the 2027 gubernatorial race. 

While Obasa claimed that the movement was meant to strengthen the APC in the state, many viewed it as a personal power base, one that could potentially be leveraged in his pursuit of the governor’s office in 2027.

His snide remarks and public declaration of himself as being more competent than some governors in the state during the 2025 budget presentation  was met with discontent by many people.  It was even claimed that he, on that day, kept the governor and other stakeholders waiting without even apologising or stating the reasons for his lateness.

On 13th of January 2025, Obasa’s political career took a major hit. He was impeached by the majority of the House of Assembly members over allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of office. His deputy, Mojisola Meranda, was immediately sworn in as his successor, marking a sharp end to his reign as Speaker.

His downfall was the culmination of years of political missteps, from his defiant attitude toward the governor to his alleged misuse of state resources. The rejection of his nominees, his strained relationships, and his own political ambitions all played a role in his eventual impeachment.