Politics
Lagos Speakership: Tinubu Not Reinstating Obasa —Source
•GAC meets today
The Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) of the Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) will, on Monday, meet to discuss the speakership crisis at the Lagos State House of Assembly and not the possibility of Mudashiru Obasa returning as speaker.
A member of the apex advisory body in the state, who spoke in confidence with the Nigerian Tribune, also dismissed the narration that President Bola Tinubu has ordered the reinstatement of the erstwhile speaker.
The state assembly has been embroiled in controversy crisis since the removal of Honourable Mudashiru Obasa as speaker by lawmakers on January 13.
He was subsequently replaced by his deputy, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, as speaker of the 10th assembly.
However, Obasa’s removal has polarised the leadership of the party following media reports and narrations from different camps clamouring for his reinstatement as speaker of the Assembly.
A top-ranking member of the GAC ruled out the possibility of Obasa returning as speaker.
He also dismissed media reports that President Tinubu has ordered his reinstatement, alleging that the media of overhyping the political status of the Agege Constituency 1 lawmaker.
The source said: “We are meeting tomorrow, Monday to discuss the Lagos State House of Assembly and not Obasa. If you observed, the GAC sent a delegation comprising members of the Council and the leadership of the Lagos Assembly to meet with President Bola Tinubu. At the meeting, the issue was discussed and solutions were proffered.
“So, all what the people are saying about the return of Obasa is a fallacy. They are orchestrated by his loyalists. Such order was not from the president. I want you to know that he cannot be reinstated because he was the first speaker to be removed by members of the House.
“We all know the president as a thoroughbred democrat and do you think he would want to be given a bad name?
“Since the episode of his removal, if you see any chieftain of the party, politician or members of the GAC clamouring for the return of Obasa, such person is not being sincere.”
The tussle over speakership seat at the assembly has also caused disaffection and divergent views among members of the GAC, as those belonging to the Justice Forum (JF) and members of the Mandate Movement (MM) are not on the same page.
Obasa, a member of the Mandate Movement, has the support and backing of members of the Movement at the GAC, while members of the Justice Forum are opposed to his return.
Speaking to this, the source said people should discountenance such narrative because there is no disagreement among members of the GAC over Obasa’s removal or reinstatement as speaker.
The source added; “The leadership tussle at the Assembly has nothing to do with the Mandate Movement and the Justice Forum. It is entirely an Assembly affairs. There is no original leader of the party that has been steadfast with Tinubu since 1999 that will be pushing for such narratives.
“Those members of the GAC that are clamouring for the return of Obasa are not sincere. They are those that have jumped from one party to another and thereafter, return to the progressives fold. Go and check their antecedents. This is not about MM or JF.
‘We have a political structure that is strong enough in Lagos state. We are gifted to have a political father that is like Tinubu. Are we saying because the President is enmeshed in solving the problems of the country, he is no longer the leader of Lagos politics?
“He cannot allow the political space of the state to be toxic and shaky. We are meeting on Monday at the level of the GAC to discuss happenings at the Assembly and not Obasa.
“People should stop exaggerating him. The first speaker of the Lagos Assembly, Barrister Osinowo during the Jakande era was removed, so what’s the fuse about Honourable Mudashiru Obasa being removed as speaker?”
“Some are even saying Tinubu is reinstating him because he knows too much and that he has enough information to nail the president’s reason he ordered his return. What does he know about the president?
“What does he know that former governors and speakers in the state didn’t know? What is new about Tinubu that only Obasa knows? Like I keep saying Obasa is overhyped and that’s responsible for all the falsehood in the media space.”
Politics
ADC’s Aisha Yesufu Issues Public Apology For Listing Yemi Adamolekun Without Consent
Prominent activist and African Democratic Congress (ADC) member Aisha Yesufu has issued a public apology to governance advocate Yemi Adamolekun following a controversy over her inclusion in the party’s Wise Men and Women Policy and Manifesto Committee.
The issue emerged on Wednesday after Adamolekun, former executive director of Enough is Enough Nigeria, expressed surprise on social media at seeing her name listed among members of the ADC committee.
Tagging Yesufu and ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi, Adamolekun questioned the party’s process in a blunt post on X.
“ADC! ADC! ADC! How many times did I call you? This is not how to build credibility o! Please show me evidence of when I joined your party! Na wa….” she wrote.
Responding the same day, Abdullahi said the committee was designed to be expert-driven rather than strictly partisan.
“It is important to point out that not everyone on the ADC Policy and Manifesto Committee is a member of the ADC. Many are not even politicians,” he said.
He added, “This is because the ADC believes that the task of developing workable public policies for the benefit of all Nigerians should not be left to politicians alone.”
Abdullahi maintained that the party had followed due process.
He said the ADC had undergone a “vetting process” and “took all necessary measures to ensure that everyone recommended to serve on this important committee was duly notified and had given their consent.”
Despite the disagreement, he expressed hope that Adamolekun would still participate, citing her “vast experience – even though she is not a member of our party.”
However, reacting on Friday, Yesufu, a member of the party’s Revalidation, Mobilisation and Registration Committee, acknowledged the error and apologised publicly.
She wrote, “This is inexcusable, and on behalf of my party, accept my apologies for this mix-up. We do not take you and your need to have a better Nigeria for granted.”
Yesufu admitted the process was flawed.
“Like you rightly pointed out, you ought to have been informed and your consent gotten before your name is published.
“This is well noted, and going forward we will continue to ensure due diligence,” she said.
She added, “Thank you for calling our attention to this. We can only get better when we get such feedback and improve accordingly.
“The work to rebuilding Nigeria is enormous, and in our eagerness to start off, we must never forget due process and diligence.”
Yesufu also extended an apology to others affected by the publication.
“For anyone that was also not contacted and consent gotten before publication, kindly accept my apologies for the mix-up,” she said.
Politics
Atiku’s Son Gives Thumbs Up To Tinubu’s Economic Policies, Backs Another Term
Abba Atiku Abubakar, son of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has attributed his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid to what he described as the administration’s innovative and business-friendly economic policies.
He said President Tinubu’s economic initiatives are more favourable to businesses than those of previous administrations, adding that the reforms have reshaped his political alignment ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Abba made the remarks during a solidarity visit to the leadership of the City Boy Movement (CBM) in Abuja on Monday evening, where he led members of the Haske Atiku Organisation, now rebranded as the Haske Tinubu Organisation.
He recalled that he formally defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on January 15, collecting his membership card at Gwadabwa Ward in Yola North Local Government Area of Adamawa State, where he publicly pledged support for Tinubu’s second-term ambition.
According to him, his decision to back the president was driven by admiration for the economic policies introduced since 2023, which he believes are positioning the country for stronger private-sector growth and investment.
According to him, “This administration has introduced policies that have every Nigerian in mind. If anyone says this government is not doing well, I will tell them they are lying,” he said. “I believe that if given another term, the government will do even more because it is focused.”
He explained that his long-standing experience in business has given him a clear perspective on economic governance in Nigeria.
“Since the return of democratic rule in 1999, I have been in business, and I am still in business today. The economic policies of Mr. President are favourable—not just to businesses, but to Nigerians in general, who are already benefiting from these reforms,” he stated.
He also explained that his decision to join the APC and align with the City Boy Movement was motivated by his passion for the Tinubu-led administration and his desire to serve.
“My joining the APC and the City Boy Movement is based on my belief in this administration. I also intend to use this platform to serve the people of Adamawa at the National Assembly level. Mr. President has made youth inclusion in politics a reality,” Abubakar added.
The Director General of the City Boy Movement, Mr. Oluwatosin Shoga reaffirmed President Tinubu’s commitment to youth participation in governance and leadership.
He noted that one of CBM’s core strategic mandates is to ensure that young Nigerians are deliberately positioned for leadership roles while encouraging greater youth involvement in the political process.
Abba’s delegation was received by the Director General of CBM, Mr. Shoga, and the National Coordinator, Mr. Favour Abayomi.
Politics
Oriyomi Hamzat Formally Joins 2027 Oyo Governorship Race Under Accord Party
Popular Ibadan-based broadcaster and founder of Agidigbo 88.7 FM, Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat has officially declared his intention to run for the 2027 Oyo State governorship under the Accord Party.
In a public declaration, Hamzat stated, “I am publicly declaring today that in 2027.
“I will not campaign for anyone or mobilise crowds for anyone.
“I will contest in the gubernatorial election under the Accord Party.”
The announcement signals Hamzat’s full commitment to his own political ambitions, stepping away from backing other candidates as he positions himself for the Oyo State governorship race.
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