The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has hit back at his detractors, asserting that he is qualified to become the Governor of Lagos State.
Speaking after Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu presented his ₦3 trillion budget proposal for the 2025 fiscal year, Obasa addressed allegations from political opponents who had misconstrued his efforts to promote the All Progressives Congress (APC) as part of a personal agenda to run for the governorship in 2025.
Obasa clarified that his primary goal was to help advance the APC through the Mandate group, emphasising that his ambition to become governor was secondary.
However, he reaffirmed that he was fully qualified for the position.
“May I use this medium to sensitise us more on the need to build and sustain our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), regarding our focus for 2027. We need to continue to mobilise people just as I do frequently,” Obasa said.
He continued, “I have made it a personal task to mobilise people on the platform of Mandate, which has been misconstrued by some political detractors as being a selfish aspiration on the ground for me to become governor of the state. There is the need, however, to correct this wrong impression. My concern is about building our party, and whatever we do is mainly for this cause.”
Addressing his critics directly, Obasa stated, “To the blackmailers who have embarked on the mission to distort and redefine our mission, let me state it unequivocally here, our intention is to promote our party on the platform of Mandate.”
He added, “Also, becoming governor is secondary; it is something that I have not given serious consideration. Nevertheless, that does not mean I am too young or lack experience to run; whereas, those who have been before me are not better off.”
Obasa also took the opportunity to counter claims from critics who had suggested that he sought to validate his candidacy by paying for a blood relation in Ojo.
“Of course, I have never denied the fact that I am OBASA,” he said. “But rather, I have never claimed to be related to Onikoyi, Oniru, or any of the other popular Lagos families as the case may be. I can indeed never run from the fact that I am related to my Obasa family in Ojo. But I do not need local validity to contest or run. If eventually I am contesting, I will do so from Agege!”
The Speaker further emphasised that, under democracy, the legislative arm of government must remain independent.
“This House, of course, recognises this and will always be so, even though we work hand-in-hand with other arms of government. It is also important to state here that this House is a sanctuary and temple, just like every other temple anywhere where we all worship.”
Obasa warned, “No one will violate any temple and expect the gods to accept his or her sacrifice. And if such happens, there must be an appease to the gods to accept such atonement. No amount of intimidation or coercion will disintegrate or change the belief of all the members of this institution!”
He assured Governor Sanwo-Olu that the House would carefully scrutinise the budget, as is customary, but also made it clear that the legislature would remain resolute in its role. “We will never be disgraced, abused or ridiculed in the name of creating a seamless working ambiance.”
Obasa concluded with a proverb, saying, “Let me also emphasise that those who live in glass houses must not throw stones as the saying goes. This also brings to my mind, according to our people: eni ba yara logun ngbe. Meaning, the god of iron recognises the swift ones. In other words, those who are facilitating or planning to interfere in this House or destroy the cohesion of this institution should also be prepared for the same fate.”
