Lagos Speakership Tussle: Would Badagry Remain a Perpetual Nazareth? By Reuben Hopo

By Reuben Omotayo Hopo  President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has a stagger...

By Reuben Omotayo Hopo 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has a staggering reputation in statesmanship and leadership acumen that resolves political conflict. His integrity reels out an exemplary democrat of no equal. His penchant for always trying his best to sail through troubled waters has built an unwavering confidence in his large following till date. His sagacity is best known for taking up responsibilities when there are challenges, and to a very large extent, he inspires credibility and asserts authority. 

One such moment is the simmering crisis hovering over Rt. Hon. Mojisola Meranda, since she emerged as the first female Speaker of the Lagos Assembly on 13th January 2025. Although her rise has been memorable and celebrated. However, the issue of legitimacy, which lingers may short-live her tenure, despite the overwhelming confidence she enjoys from members of the Assembly. 

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One spectacular fate that is not clear to most politicians of heavyweight is the fact of providence, often dismissed by presumption. Yet, there is ample proof that fate works in different dimensions to assure "what would be would be" when the matter lies within the realm. Hence, it is not ordinary when a Yoruba adage says, " _Aworawo ko kan t'ise...."_  Also, according to the Ogu worldview, _"dagbe de pepe, maa to owhe glo fi tata, ose we no na mepon, ye no wa."_ 

These wise sayings best described the circumstances that pervaded the Lagos gubernatorial contest before 1999 and how fate switched the erstwhile Governor of Lagos State (now President) from continuing his career in the Senate after the abortive Third Republic by General Sanni Abacha in 1993. Do politicians forget several occurrences across different parts of the Country so soon? When providence comes into play, God prevails over the affairs of mankind. 

The unbelievers may never learn good lessons as regards the warning to the disciples of Jesus Christ to stem anxiety about tomorrow and leave it to tomorrow itself to handle. It is no longer surprising that tomorrow eagers for Badagry and one of her own to become the next anticipated Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly in the current crisis. Truly, "Let the day's trouble be sufficient for the day (Matthew 6:34) is braver for those who care to listen to what the spirit tells the church. 

The Lagos State Governance Advisory Council has tried to mediate in the State Assembly feud as much as it could, but the President who claims the buck stops on his desk has engaged more leaders of thought involving two prominent Elder Statesmen in the person of Chief Bisi Akande and Chief Olusegun Osoba, both as former Governors of Osun and Ogun State respectively to broker peace alongside the G. A. C. Members. 

President Tinubu fears that the womenfolk may decry discrimination against them has directed the State Leadership of the ruling APC to shop for a female substitute from Lagos-West to balance the political equation between the three senatorial districts and being the largest in the three senatorial zones in the State. 

Change in Leadership of the House is not new, and the closest in history was when the former Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji replaced his predecessor, Rt. Hon. Jokotola Pelumi from the same Epe constituencies belonging to Lagos-East Senatorial District, unlike the current polarization sufficiently necessitating a different doctrine to ensure stability and balance the political equation in the State is commendable.   

As the call persists on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR to recognize and reciprocate the collective effort of the people of Badagry who withered the storm against opposition to the ruling political party and his Presidency, that unique effort of many years of stern struggle contributed the most significant electoral victories to the ruling party at the Federal and State level within this division, and second in Lagos-West has made Badagry a cynosure in the current political configuration deserves all considerations to redeem many years of its neglect in the power equation of the State. 

As emphasis shifts on all respectful leaders and the President, Vox Pop is saying, "It is Badagry turn." 

As Lagosians also predict the outcome of the current political settlement, Badagry by no means is ambitious for the Speakership office. It only makes her voice louder on the need to embrace "what is good for the goose, is also good for the gander." Being the only division among the rest that is yet to produce a governor, either as a civilian or military, would the area be treated again as a Nazareth in Bethlehem, where nothing good ever comes out? Would Badagry remain a perpetual Nazareth? Only the leaders can tell. 

Reuben Omotayo Hopo writes from Badagry, Lagos.