The crisis rocking the Lagos State House of Assembly’s leadership is getting intriguing with each passing day, with the most recent drama looking like a coup by democratically elected political officers. KINGSLEY ALUMONA and YUSUF ABDULKADIR sampled the opinions of some Nigerians on the issue. Their views:
Abdulqayyum Akindele
NIGERIAN politics has to be clear of godfatherism. I believe the crisis is borne out of the 2027 gubernatorial elections. Certain forces do not want a particular person to have the ticket of the ruling party. That said, it is not a proper thing to ask both impeached Speaker Obasa and the recently emerged Speaker Meranda to step down. If Obasa is indeed guilty of the crime alleged, Meranda should be the Speaker since she was voted for. On the other hand, if Obasa is innocent of the allegations, why should he be impeached?
Adekunle Omo Arowona
THE crisis rocking the Lagos State House of Assembly is a result of leadership. Lagos has been able to maintain decorum over the years because of its leadership presence, which helps the government to plan and develop very well. I would blame the former speaker, who is not respecting the governor. It might be politically wrong for the Speaker and Governor to come from the same senatorial district. So, they have to look for a way to settle the issue amicably ─ either the new speaker continues or they look for another speaker from a different senatorial district.
Dauda Olalekan
THE charade between Meranda and Obasa depicts a power vacuum in Lagos. As much as we all try to shy away from reality, godfatherism has helped to build Lagos, and the absence of a leader creates a crack that lizards try to fill. Obasa has a flagrant disregard for constituted authority, perhaps because of his long record of service or insatiable ambition to succeed the governor. It is best if all egos can be submerged to retain Lagos State’s path to development. Anything aside from this might draw the state backwards.
Moses Adeyemi
NIGERIANS are not strangers to the crises emanating from the Lagos State House of Assembly. I think that the leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are on top of their game. They know how to play the ball and when to stop playing the ball. The only issue is with governance ─ because if care is not taken, we might end up seeing another Rivers State brouhaha in Lagos.
Ogunlola Joseph
ABOVE all else, the principles of justice and fairness should prevail. Speaker Obasa’s removal seems not to have followed due process, considering the House was in recess. In a democratic setting, every member’s voice matters, even if the majority would have their way. If the majority no longer supports Obasa, their decision should be respected, provided it aligns with due process. At all times, fairness should guide our actions. I would advise Obasa to move forward and the House members to prioritise serving their constituents. Speaker Miranda also has to prove she is worthy of the seat.
Peter Obilakin
THE situation in the Lagos State House of Assembly is not shocking because a powerful person, often called a ‘godfather’, has significant control in Lagos and has big plans for 2027. We have seen this before with Akinwumi Ambode, a former governor who did not get re-elected because he did not obey this godfather. Now, the godfather is planning to help himself in the 2027 elections. But he should remember that everyone’s time will eventually run out. We must learn from history and stand up for what is right.
Sale Rusulana Yanguruza
I was stunned when the members of the Lagos State House of Assembly voted for a female to lead them. I was surprised, not because she is a female, but because of the huge solidarity she received. This was a testament to her deserving of the seat and an indication that the former or impeached Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, did not have the capacity to lead. As a responsible leader who led the house for some time, he should have demonstrated his maturity in this matter by allowing democracy to work. The governor of Lagos State and the stakeholders should intervene in this crisis. A minor crisis, if not properly addressed, may escalate into something else.
READ ALSO: Court adjourns hearing in Obasa’s suit against Lagos Assembly to March 7
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