Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu opted out of the usual Monday executive council meeting amid the unfolding impeachment saga of Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly Mudashiru Obasa.
The governor stayed at Lagos House, Marina, closely monitoring the dramatic events.
The day began with heavy security deployment at the Lagos Government House, Alausa, Ikeja, and the Assembly Complex.
Armed personnel from the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and Lagos State Task Force patrolled the areas, intercepting hoodlums who reportedly attempted to invade the Assembly premises. Several arrests were made during the operation.
The heightened security measures came as news of Obasa’s impeachment circulated across the state, sparking political tension.
According to Vanguard, while Governor Sanwo-Olu stayed back at Marina, his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, presided over the executive council meeting.
A source revealed that the governor was keenly observing the situation, with optimism about improved relations with the Assembly following Obasa’s removal.
During the meeting, members reportedly expressed relief, with some insiders describing Obasa’s exit as “good riddance to bad rubbish.” The meeting was brief, and Hamzat dismissed members early to enjoy the rest of the day.
Obasa’s tenure as Speaker had been fraught with controversy, including allegations of financial misappropriation and frosty relations with Governor Sanwo-Olu and the Governance Advisory Council (GAC).
A source disclosed that Obasa’s perceived disrespect for the governor’s office and governance norms put him in the GAC’s bad books.
Despite President Bola Tinubu’s intervention to mediate peace during the Yuletide season, tensions persisted, culminating in the Speaker’s impeachment on Monday by a unanimous vote of 32 lawmakers.
OsunDailyNG learnt that Obasa’s impeachment was greeted with jubilation among Assembly staff, workers at the governor’s office, and other civil servants. Many saw the move as a necessary correction to alleged highhandedness and misconduct.
Sources suggest that Governor Sanwo-Olu is poised to meet with the new Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, and other principal officers to chart a course for better collaboration between the executive and legislative arms.
