The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has debunked claims in some quarters that he has a longstanding feud with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Obasa explained that there is no hostility between him and Sanwo-Olu, adding that they are siblings from the same father.
The speaker stated this on Friday when he received the governor who led some members of the state executive council on a visit to commiserate with him over the passing of his father.
Sulaiman Obasa, who died on Tuesday, at the age of 83, has since been buried in accordance with Islamic rites.
“I hold him (governor) in high esteem and respect him. I don’t have any issues with the Governor. Some people said I was fighting with the Governor, but there is nothing the Governor brought to me that I rejected. There is nothing that he will ask me to do that I will not do because we are siblings from the same father.
“There is no way brothers will fight, and the father will be looking at them fighting. We have the same purpose, intention, and mission, which is to serve the people of Lagos.
“Mr. Governor, you are my brother anytime, any day. Any time you call, I will be there with my colleagues. I thank God for you because whatever we do in the House of Assembly is because you are supporting me. If you don’t support me, there is no way I will get the attention, love, support, and cooperation of the other 39 members.
“As a Speaker, I am just first among equals; we are all the same in the House of Assembly. It is because of your understanding and cooperation that we have a team in the House of Assembly, and the team is working for you.” Obasa was quoted as saying according to PM News.
The insinuation of political feud between Obasa and Sanwo-Olu came alive in the build up to the speakership race of the House of Assembly last year.
According to A SOURCE (link 1) who spoke with NewsNGR then, the governor was not favourably disposed to the speaker.
“He sees himself as more as a superior than primus interpares,” an attribute, which the source said is autocratic.
“Even the governor is not favourably disposed towards him. And if other leaders like that are not equally favourably disposed towards you, you’ve a herculean task,” the source added.
However, despite opposition against his third term bid, Obasa was re-elected as Speaker on June 6,2023.
Another episode that suggested political feud was the back and forth between the House of Assembly and the executive regarding Sanwo-Olu’s second term cabinet nominees. Some of them were REJECTED (link 2) by the House.
Link 1
https://www.google.com/amp/s/thewhistler.ng/lagos-apc-leaders-not-against-obasas-third-term-speakership-bid-spokesman/amp
Link 2
https://thewhistler.ng/lagos-after-rejection-of-his-17-appointees-sanwo-olu-meets-speaker-obasa/