By Dansu Peter In a dramatic twist to the corruption allegations against impeached Lagos Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, Nigeria’s First Lady, Rem...
By Dansu Peter
Despite a compelling case compiled by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), anti-graft operatives were reportedly ordered to stand down on Obasa’s arrest upon his return to Nigeria, as the First Lady sought to prevent political instability within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos.
Obasa has been under EFCC’s radar since at least 2020 following multiple investigative reports exposing his alleged financial misdeeds, including primitive asset accumulation and budgetary manipulations. While he was not charged then, his recent impeachment on January 13 reignited the case, prompting EFCC officials to prepare for his arrest.
However, in a bold move, Obasa returned from the U.S. last week to a hero’s welcome in Lagos, despite facing a multibillion-naira fraud probe. At a press conference, he dismissed his impeachment as illegal, claiming due process was not followed.
According to high-level presidency sources, Obasa’s ‘secret weapon’ was none other than First Lady Remi Tinubu, who swiftly intervened to stall EFCC’s action. She reportedly warned that arresting Obasa could fracture APC’s political strongholds, particularly in Agege and Alimosho—two key districts pivotal to electoral success in Lagos State.
“She said he’s useful to them in Agege and environs and they don’t want an immediate crack in their ranks now,” a presidency official disclosed. “She said they should continue their investigation but hold off now on touching him because he’s useful to the party.”
Mrs. Tinubu’s strategic move is believed to be tied to securing President Bola Tinubu’s political future, especially as the 2027 elections loom. Notably, in the 2023 elections, Tinubu lost Alimosho to the Labour Party’s Peter Obi, raising concerns within APC about maintaining dominance in Lagos.
EFCC sources confirmed that they had not received the expected green light from the presidency to proceed with Obasa’s arrest, signaling the immediate impact of Mrs. Tinubu’s intervention. This development highlights the persistent challenge of political interference in Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts, where law enforcement agencies often require high-level approvals before acting against politically exposed individuals.
Neither Mrs. Tinubu nor the State House responded to requests for comment on the First Lady’s involvement in blocking Obasa’s arrest, People's Gazette says. Meanwhile, Obasa has continued to deny all corruption allegations, attributing his impeachment to political adversaries.
With the 2027 elections approaching, the question remains: Will Obasa’s political survival come at the cost of justice, or will the EFCC eventually break free from political influence to hold him accountable?
Culled from The People’s Gazette
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