By Dansu Peter The removal of former Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, has further deepened divisions within the All ...
By Dansu Peter
Both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) have signaled openness to Obasa’s defection, should he decide to exit the APC following his impeachment, report by Punch says
Lagos PDP Vice Chairman, Benedict Tai, affirmed that while the party is open to accepting Obasa, due diligence would be carried out before any integration.
“If we accept him, we will ensure proper checks and balances. No one can just join and demand a position. The individual must have spent time within the party and demonstrated commitment to our cause,” Tai stated.
Tai further noted that the internal crisis within the APC provided an opportunity for the PDP to reclaim lost political ground in Lagos.
“If their disunity persists, it will only benefit us. The APC remains our biggest obstacle, and if they continue to falter, we will capitalize on their weaknesses,” he added.
Similarly, the Lagos Labour Party expressed its readiness to accommodate Obasa, provided his political aspirations align with the party’s vision.
LP Chairman, Pastor Dayo Ekong, emphasized that while the party welcomes new members, there would be no automatic privileges.
“If Obasa decides to join the Labour Party, he will be received, but he must adhere to our principles. We are not in the business of interfering in APC affairs, but if he aligns with our ideology, we will consider him,” Ekong said.
On whether Obasa could be handed a governorship ticket in 2027, Ekong dismissed any notions of preferential treatment.
“There are no automatic tickets. Everyone must go through the primaries and prove their popularity. Our 2023 governorship candidate remains active in the party, so any new entrant will have to compete fairly,” she added.
Obasa’s impeachment on January 13, 2025, over alleged misconduct and financial misappropriation, has sparked tensions within the APC’s Governance Advisory Council (GAC), the party’s highest decision-making body in Lagos.
The divide became evident when two GAC members, Senator Anthony Adefuye and Chief Muraina Taiwo, who opposed Obasa’s removal, faced sharp criticism from another senior member, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, who dismissed their stance as “childish and inconsequential.”
Meanwhile, the Lagos State House of Assembly has stated that Obasa is expected to return to the House before any further action, including a potential probe, is considered.
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