Fouad Oki, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has revealed that President Bola Tinubu was aware of and involved in the events leading to the impeachment of Mudashiru Obasa, former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Oki made this disclosure during an appearance on Politics Today, a Channels Television program, where he explained that Tinubu had attempted to mediate the growing tensions in the Assembly. His intervention followed concerns raised by the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) about Obasa’s leadership style and alleged financial mismanagement.
“Before the president came home, this issue had been lingering,” Oki stated. “In the wisdom of members of the Governor’s Advisory Council, the president’s attention was called. As a father and leader, he convened a meeting to address the concerns. Unfortunately, he witnessed Obasa’s recalcitrance firsthand, which I believe was the final straw.”
Obasa was impeached on Monday after lawmakers unanimously accused him of multiple financial infractions, including spending ₦17 billion on constructing the Assembly’s gate and an additional ₦200 million on a thanksgiving service. His impeachment ended his tenure amid allegations of fraud and abuse of office.
Hon. Mojisola Meranda, the former deputy speaker, was subsequently elected as the first female Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, marking a historic leadership shift.
Describing the impeachment as “long overdue,” Oki emphasized the importance of accountability in governance. “Recalcitrance and leadership do not mix,” he said. “The president recognized that, and the Assembly acted accordingly.”
