By Abdullateef Aliyu
Lagos, Nigeria – The Chairman of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) in Lagos State, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, has clarified the controversy surrounding the recent leadership change in the Lagos State House of Assembly. Speaking for the first time since the removal of Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker and the subsequent election of Mojisola Meranda on January 13, 2025, Olusi emphasized that lawmakers do not possess absolute powers to remove or install their leaders without consulting the party or the GAC.
The GAC, the highest decision-making body of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, has been engaging with aggrieved lawmakers since the crisis began. Olusi, however, denied any involvement of the GAC in the removal of Obasa, stating, “Members of the GAC are not members of the Lagos State House of Assembly to allegedly be behind the removal of Obasa. It can’t be true.”
He further revealed that the lawmakers acted independently, without consulting the party or the GAC. “We read it also that morning. The lawmakers carried it out without consulting the party and those of us in the GAC. That is our position,” Olusi said.
The GAC chairman criticized the lawmakers for failing to lodge their complaints with the party earlier, stressing that the party holds the authority to decide on such matters. “Nobody can become a member of the House of Assembly unless sponsored by a political party, and the sponsors are the inspectors,” he added.
Olusi disclosed that efforts are underway to resolve the crisis, with a high-powered committee led by Chief Bisi Akande, including prominent members such as Aremo Olusegun Osoba and former APC National Vice Chairman (South-west), Chief Pius Akinyelure, working to mediate the dispute.
“The problem is between the former Speaker (Obasa) and his colleagues, which led to his removal. It is a dispute among them,” Olusi explained. He added that the committee is in consultation with the House of Assembly, Obasa, and the newly elected Speaker, Mrs. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, to find a resolution.
The GAC and the APC Chairman in Lagos State, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, are also actively supporting the committee’s efforts to restore stability to the Assembly.
As the crisis continues, stakeholders remain hopeful that the ongoing mediation will bring an end to the impasse and ensure the smooth functioning of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
