The removal of former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly Mudashiru Obasa has further polarized the ranks of the Governor’s Advisory Council, the apex advisory organ.

Some members of GAC had earlier disagreed over the process that led to the removal of Obasa.

Meanwhile, a member of the GAC, Chief Muraina Akanbi Taiwo, from Isolo Constituency, faulted members of the Assembly for reconvening during the house’s recess in a statement on Tuesday.

The GAC members, including former Minister of Defence (State) Senator Musliu Obanikoro and Senator Anthony Adefuye, expressed divergent views over the embattled former Speaker.

While Adefuye said Obasa was illegally removed, Obanikoro countered the latter, saying his statement “was careless.”

However, the GAC secretary, Mr Mutiu Are, said the brewing crisis in the Assembly is a family affair and will be resolved in a family way.

Obanikoro faulted a statement made by Senator Adefuye expressing support for Obasa.

Adefuye, a member of GAC, said in a recent interview that he disagreed with the removal of Obasa.

“What he is saying is that he was illegally removed, and the procedure was faulty, and I agree with him,” the APC chieftain said.

Reacting to Adefuye’s interview, Obanikoro said the APC chieftain made the statement carelessly, adding that it was important to respect hierarchy in any organisation.

The former Minister said, ” Senator Adefuye’s statement on the removal of the former Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, is very unfortunate, childish and inconsequential.

“Senator Adefuye’s comment shouldn’t have come up. As leaders, if there are serious issues of this magnitude, rushing to make a press statement or personal statement on such issues is unbecoming of a statement.

“Since GAC as a unit has not made any pronouncement on the subject matter, it is irresponsible of any member of that privileged body to go public and comment on an issue as sensitive as that.

“Moreso, our leader, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, waded in on the matter, so I believe nobody should come out individually to express an opinion based on privileged status.”


It’s a family affair — GAC scribe

Are called for calm, saying the matter will be resolved in a family way.

While reacting to the claim by Obasa that his removal was unconstitutional, Are said: “Whatever is currently going on in Lagos politics is a family affair. As an elder, I’m not supposed to take sides.

“We would resolve everything because the GAC, the apex advisory organ, has its mechanism for resolving matters like this.

“By my position as the secretary of the body, I’m not given an express permission to speak to the matter. But I can tell you we’ll resolve it in a family way.”


Taiwo hits lawmakers

A statement by Taiwo, titled: “My take on the ongoing imbroglio in the Lagos Assembly,” read in part, “The act of the lawmakers to reconvene during the recess is illegal.

“It shows total disregard and apparent disrespect for the party’s leadership.

“Obviously, the GAC Leadership is split over the matter, but we will all defer to the final decision of our de facto leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to resolve the crisis.”

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