THE reinstated Speaker of the Lagos House of Assembly, Mr Muhashiru Obasa, has started making moves to become Lagos State governor in 2027 – even without the help of the incumbent, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Economy Post gathered from two members of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), the political structure installed by President Bola Tinubu in 1999 when he was governor of Lagos, that Mr Obasa had begun making consultations that would enable him to become the gobernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress in 2027.

As earlier reported by Economy Post, Mr Obasa fancies his chances at becoming the chief executive officer of Nigeria’s eonomic capital, but he knows he has a big obstacle in President Bola Tinubu’s son, Mr Seyi Tinubu, whose posters are already flying across the state.

READ ALSO: Mudashiru Obasa’s ‘triumphal entry’ into Lagos shows he’s well-prepared for 2027 politics

Obasa, however, is banking on luck. He believes that President Tinubu may not want his son to contest the next gubernatorial election in Lagos, as this may be perceived as one family monopolising power in Nigeria.

“This is likely true,” said one GAC member, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. “President Tinubu, the Asiwaju I know, loves things to go round. He knows that he is going to set a bad precedence in Lagos by allowing his son to govern the state now. Seyi may be governor later but not now. This is what I know now, though things can change,” the GAC member said.

Obasa’s impeachment

Mr Obasa was impeached as the speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembloy on January 13. Deputy Speaker, Ms Mojisola Meranda, was subsequently elected as the speaker.

Mr Obasa protested his removal and proceeded to court to reverse the decision of his colleagues, who had openly spoken out against his alleged highhandedness. On February 27, he invaded the Lagos State House of Assembly with heavy security protection. The invasion happened after the security details of Ms Meranda had been withdrawn by the police.

“We don’t know why the authorities have done that, but all the police officers and other security details attached to her have been withdrawn. She’s on her own at the moment,” Meranda’s spokesperson, Mr Ganzallo Victor, said after the withdrawal of her boss’ security details.

On his part, Mr Obasa had addressed his supporters on January 25, saying that he remained the most senior member of the Lagos State House of Assembly today.

“I have been a parliamentarian for over two decades and I am the longest serving member of the Lagos State House of Assembly and no one as we speak has surpassed my history, position and everything,” he said.

“I believe in removal. There is no impeachment in the assembly; you cannot impeach the speaker. Probably there is a mistake from them. You can only remove the speaker and if you want to remove, you must ensure you follow the rules. I am not afraid of being removed, what else am I looking for?” he asked.

Reinstatement on March 3

Mr Obasa was, however, reinstated on March 4 after the resignantion of Ms Meranda. His reinstatement was facilitated by former Osun State Governor, Mr Bisi Akande and former Ogun State Governor, Mr Segun Osoba. An agreement was reached in which Ms Meranda was sacrificed for Mr Obasa, Economy Post was told.

READ ALSO: Tinubu flies new $100 million jet as Nigerians live in poverty

Governorship ambition reloaded

Mr Obasa’s reinstatement has strengthened his resolve to contest the Lagos State gubenatorial election in 2027. Another GAC member, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said Mr Obasa was now beginning to think that his victory at the Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday “is an indication that nothing is impossible now.”

The source said that Mr Obasa had already started making consultations regarding his ambition and had even convinced some members of the GAC.

“Politicians always think ahead. Some of us are beginning to buy his gubernatorial ambition because we believe he is a grassroots politicians and is experienced. We all want to find ourselves in his government or at least be counted as his supporters,” the GAC member noted.