Lagos Speaker, Obasa’s Political Ambition: A Dangerous Play for Power That Could Cost Him Everything
Mudashiru Obasa, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, may have just made a critical error in judgment during his reaction to the 2025 budget presentation by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. What should have been a ceremonial moment for the state instead turned into a spectacle that could potentially tarnish Obasa’s reputation and jeopardize his political future.
For anyone genuinely invested in the welfare and progress of Lagos, Obasa’s behavior last Thursday was deeply troubling. His conduct during the budget address—an event that traditionally showcases the state’s economic trajectory to the world—was an unnecessary sideshow, driven by personal political grievances rather than the spirit of collaboration and governance.
Rather than seizing an opportunity to demonstrate statesmanship, Obasa instead chose to air his personal insecurities and grievances, making it clear that the relationship between him and the governor had soured. His veiled threats and demands for political concessions left little room for ambiguity: the supposed partnership between the Speaker and the Governor was now in tatters.
At a time when the world’s eyes should have been on Lagos and its future plans, Obasa seemed more intent on creating a spectacle. His actions—ranging from deliberately withholding applause after the Governor’s speech to the farcical decision to wear sunglasses—spoke volumes about his priorities. It was as if he was more concerned with self-aggrandizement than the responsibilities of his office.
What made this episode even more regrettable was that it came from the longest-serving Speaker in Lagos’s history. It was not a spur-of-the-moment outburst but a carefully orchestrated display of pettiness, designed to send a political message. Obasa and his allies in the assembly had apparently spent considerable time planning their lack of decorum, intending to undermine the Governor’s authority while promoting their own political agendas.
Obasa’s speech itself was an incoherent mix of political posturing and personal ambition. He sought to remind the Governor and the public that the legislature is an independent body, but in doing so, he overstepped his bounds, portraying himself as a figure beyond reproach and above the political process. He even went so far as to invoke religious imagery, likening the House to a “temple” and suggesting that those who “violate” it must make atonement. The veiled threats and insinuations were startling for someone in such a high office, and his rhetoric did little to strengthen his position.
Obasa also took the opportunity to promote his 2027 ambitions under the guise of party loyalty. He spoke of mobilizing for the All Progressives Congress (APC), but his comments about the governorship—denying any serious personal ambition while subtly hinting at it—betrayed his true intentions. His message was clear: he sees himself as a key player in Lagos’s future, even if that means undermining the current leadership to secure his place.
The most puzzling aspect of Obasa’s actions was his misguided belief that such antics would help him build political capital. In reality, his behavior is more likely to isolate him from those who might have otherwise supported him. The ambition to lead Lagos, which may have once seemed attainable, now appears more distant. His actions have painted him as someone who prioritizes personal gain over public service, undermining his credibility in the process.
Obasa’s public missteps are a reflection of the flaws in the political culture of Lagos, where leadership has often been defined by personal vendettas and power struggles rather than a clear vision for the city’s future. If he continues down this path, he risks becoming a footnote in Lagos’s political history, remembered not for his contributions to governance but for the spectacle he made of himself.
As Lagos inches closer to the 2027 elections, Obasa’s display of political immaturity may well be his undoing. Those who witnessed his conduct last Thursday will likely remember it when the time comes to assess his legacy—if indeed he has one at all. His ambition, though clearly evident, may very well be his downfall.
