Chairman of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) in Lagos State, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, has spoken out regarding the ongoing controversy in the Lagos State House of Assembly.
This marks his first statement since Mudashiru Obasa was removed as Speaker and replaced by Mojisola Meranda on January 13, 2025. The APC leader emphasized that while lawmakers do not have absolute authority to remove or appoint their leaders, neither the GAC nor the party was consulted before the decision was made.
Daily Trust reports that both Obasa and Meranda are now claiming the position of Speaker in the House of Assembly.
The GAC, the highest decision-making body of the APC in Lagos, has been holding meetings with aggrieved lawmakers since the crisis erupted.
Addressing journalists, Olusi clarified, “Members of the GAC are not members of the Lagos State House of Assembly to allegedly be behind the removal of Obasa. It can’t be true.
“We read it also that morning. The lawmakers carried it out without consulting the party and those of us in the GAC. That is our position.
“We invited all of them and insisted that all of them are products of the party. They lodged their complaints and we listened to them.
“I blamed them for one thing and that is for not lodging the complaints earlier before the party. It is for the party to decide, they (lawmakers) have no absolute power to remove and install their leaders.
“Nobody can become a member of the House of Assembly unless sponsored by a political party and the sponsors are the inspectors.”
He also confirmed that efforts were underway to resolve the crisis.
“The problem is the speaker (Obasa) and his colleagues, which led to his removal. It is a dispute among them.
“Currently, there is a high-powered committee of the party led by Chief Bisi Akande, including Aremo Olusegun Osoba, former APC National Vice Chairman, South-west, Chief Pius Akinyelure, and others.
“They are working and making efforts to resolve the matter. I know they are in consultation with the House of Assembly, Obasa, and the other Speaker, Mrs. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda.
“Those of us in the GAC and the Chairman of the Party, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, are doing all within our power to assist the committee,” he added.
