Society Gists

The peace meeting convened by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to resolve the crisis among members of the Lagos State House of Assembly was held on Wednesday at Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, effectively putting an end to weeks of turmoil in the assembly.

However, sources close to the presidency revealed that the meeting served as an opportunity for President Tinubu to issue a stern warning to Speaker Mudashiru Obasa regarding the circumstances surrounding his attempted removal.

Tinubu reportedly emphasised that Obasa must change his ways. According to a source, the first reprimand came when the President ordered Obasa out of the meeting for arriving late after Tinubu and other attendees had already taken their seats.

When the meeting eventually commenced, Tinubu reportedly informed those present that, under different circumstances, he would have supported Obasa’s removal, as he was aware of the Speaker’s misconduct.

However, considering Obasa’s contributions in Agege and Lagos State during the 2023 general elections, Tinubu appealed to the lawmakers to give him a final chance.

“It was a tense meeting, and the President was firm with Obasa. He initially sent him out for arriving late and then stated that the executive could not feign ignorance of the Speaker’s attempted removal.

“President Tinubu listened to everyone and admitted that he had no objections to Obasa’s removal. However, he urged the lawmakers to grant him one last opportunity, and acknowledged his efforts in Agege during the last elections.

“He then directed Obasa to drop all court cases against the lawmakers and to refrain from making corruption allegations while his removal was being contested.

Tinubu stressed that moving forward, there must be no acrimony, animosity, or intimidation,” the source added.

The meeting was attended by President Bola Tinubu, Hon. James Abiodun Faleke, a member of the House of Representatives from Ikeja, Lagos, and the Chairman of the APC in Lagos State, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi. Lawmakers were given the chance to air their grievances, with many accusing Speaker Obasa of withholding their allowances and entitlements, oppressing them, and running the assembly as his personal empire.

The meeting concluded with President Tinubu advising Obasa to mend his ways and treat his fellow lawmakers as colleagues.