A former Nigerian ambassador to Ghana and two-time minister, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, has criticised a statement by Senator Anthony Adefuye, an All Progressives Congress chieftain, expressing support for the impeached Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa.
Obasa, who represented Agege Constituency 1 in the House, was removed on January 13, 2025, by 35 out of the 40 lawmakers over alleged misconduct. He was replaced by the then-Deputy Speaker, Mojisola Meranda.
Since his impeachment, Obasa has maintained that his removal did not follow due process. Addressing supporters in Ikeja on Saturday, he said, “I remain the Speaker of the House and will soon resume my legislative duties.” He also denied the corruption allegations against him, calling them baseless.
Senator Anthony Adefuye, a member of the Lagos State Governance Advisory Council, expressed his support for Obasa in a recent interview, agreeing with the former Speaker’s claims. “What he is saying is that he was illegally removed, and the procedure was faulty, and I agree with him,” Adefuye stated.
Reacting to Adefuye’s remarks, Obanikoro described the statement as “unfortunate, childish, and inconsequential.” Speaking to journalists on Sunday, he said, “The statement of Senator Adefuye on the removal of the former Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, is very unfortunate. It is unbecoming of a statesman to rush and make personal or press statements on such sensitive issues.”
Obanikoro emphasised the importance of respecting organisational hierarchy and criticised Adefuye for speaking individually on the matter, especially when the Governance Advisory Council had not issued an official position.
“Since the GAC as a unit has not made any pronouncement on the subject matter, it is irresponsible of any member of that privileged body to go public and make comments on an issue that is as sensitive as this,” he said.
Obanikoro, who is also a member of the GAC, highlighted the need for discipline and respect within the APC hierarchy. He noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had intervened in the matter, making it inappropriate for individual members to offer personal opinions publicly.
“Our leader, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has waded into the matter. I believe nobody should come out individually to express an opinion based on privileged status,” Obanikoro added.
