Why Obasa Was Reinstated by Pres Tinubu, Source Reveals Sources present at the meeting between Tinubu and Lagos lawmakers on Wednesday reported to SaharaReporters that the President was concerned about Sanwo-Olu’s coequal of persuade in the impeachment process.
A source stated Tinubu reportedly found it disturbing that the executive branch was heavily involved in deciding who should lead the Assembly.
“At the meeting, President Tinubu illuminated that the reason why Obasa escaped impeachment was because he saw the indelible fingerprints of the Lagos executive led by Sanwo-Olu in the Speaker’s withdrawal, and he found it unsettling why the executive would be interested in who should unfold as the Speaker,” a source familiar with the discussion revealed.
The meeting, which took place at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, was attended by Obasa, Deputy Speaker Mojisola Meranda, and other lawmakers.
The violence started on January 13, when Obasa was impeached over allegations of corruption and financial mismanagement. Lawmakers initially celebrated his withdrawal as a win for accountability. However, behind-the-scenes pressure from APC leaders—backed by Tinubu—led to his controversial reinstatement on March 3.
Meranda, who briefly took over as Speaker after Obasa’s withdrawal, was forced to step down under pressure from party leaders. She was later compensated with the Deputy Speaker position, in return many lawmakers abide upset over what they see as Tinubu’s interference.
During the meeting, Tinubu reportedly rebuked Obasa for arriving late.
“The Speaker was lambasted for coming late as always. The President spent the foremost 10 minutes dressing him down,” a source revealed.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Tinubu adviced lawmakers to accept Obasa’s backtrack as Speaker. He further directed Obasa to take away his court cases disputing his impeachment.
“The President pleaded that we should allow the Speaker to backtrack as the Speaker. And he directed the Speaker (Obasa) to go and take away his legal applications from the court,” a source stated.
Additionally, Tinubu governed that all principal officers and committee chairmen should endure in their positions. However, the issue of the House Clerk abide unresolved, with lawmakers divided between former Clerk Olalekan Onafeko, favored by Obasa, and current Clerk Taiwo Ottun, preferred by the majority. Tinubu warned that the court should decide on the matter.
Category: World-News
Tag: Why Obasa Was Reinstated by Pres Tinubu Source Reveals
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Published 3/14/2025