A former Minister of Communications, Major General Tajudeen Olanrewaju (retd.) has reacted to the impeachment of the former Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, attributing it to his political overreach.
In a statement released by the Media Office of the De Renaissance Patriots Foundation, Olanrewaju stated that Obasa’s political downfall was the result of his actions while in office.
The general stated, “Karma is both action and the consequences of that action; it is cause and effect simultaneously because every action generates a force of energy that returns to us in like kind.
“There is nothing unfamiliar about the Law of Karma. Everybody has heard the expression, ‘What you sow is what you reap.’”
Accusing Obasa of exceeding his political limits and miscalculating his power, Olanrewaju described Obasa’s actions as a misstep in seeking more control in Lagos State, stating that the former Speaker had overstepped his boundaries in various ways.
“The choices the former Speaker Obasa made while on his exalted seat were that he overstepped his political boundary in many ways.
“Politicians, while playing their political ping pong game of arrogance and seeking more power in search of a dynastic crown, particularly in Lagos State, ignored the slippery ground,” Olanrewaju explained.
The ex-minister also criticised Obasa’s rumoured Lagos governorship aambition, calling it a major political blunder.
He compared Obasa’s actions to the mistakes of ancient rulers, claiming his attempt to break into the gubernatorial race was ‘an unpardonable harakiri.’
Recalling his past advice to Obasa, Olanrewaju disclosed that he warned the former Speaker against pursuing a third term and emphasized that leadership should be given to a Lagos indigene at the right time.
“I remember that I warned the Speaker-to-be Obasa a few years ago not to contest for the Speaker’s position for the third time. That he should yield the post to an indigene, knowing that it was the right time for an indigene to be the Speaker.
“Obasa is an Ogun State indigene. Constitutionally, you cannot claim two states of origin, but wonders never end in Lagos State’s power matrix,” Olanrewaju stated.
Olanrewaju further attributed Obasa’s downfall to his disregard for political accountability and his failure to listen to advice from both internal and external critics.
“His fall from power could be ascribed to undignified political correctness and mean-spirited attempts to silence critics both within the establishment and external forces. Obasa bluffed everyone and pushed aside all commonsensical appeals to him,” he added.
The former minister concluded by stressing the need for leadership roles to prioritize the indigenous population of Lagos State, calling for a shift towards indigenous leadership for better governance.
“The lessons to be learned from this authoritarian political action is to give power to the IBILE indigenous people of Lagos State, who can manage themselves better and more successfully. Who knows who is next? A stitch in time saves nine,” the retired general warned.
