The PDP chieftain in Lagos State has described the return of Mudashiru Obasa as disgraceful. The crisis, which began on January 13, 2025, occurred when Speaker Mudashiru Obasa was impeached by 36 out of 40 Assembly members over allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and mismanagement of funds.
Following his removal, Deputy Speaker Mojisola Meranda was elected as the new Speaker, making history as the first female Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly. However, this transition triggered a major political crisis, as both Mudashiru Obasa and Mojisola Meranda laid claim to the position of Speaker. The situation escalated as both parties sought legitimacy, causing tension among lawmakers, party members, and the public.
During a special plenary session on Monday, March 3, 2025, Hon. Mojisola Meranda resigned as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly. Immediately after her resignation, Mudashiru Obasa was reinstated as Speaker, despite the serious corruption allegations that led to his impeachment in January.
This development has raised concerns over accountability and the rule of law, as Obasa returned to office without being cleared of the allegations against him.
PDP’s Position on the Crisis
To gain insight into the opposition’s stance on the crisis, New Daily Prime conducted an exclusive interview with Chief Sanya Atofarati, the PDP Southwest Publicity Secretary.
New Daily Prime: Good day, sir. You are aware of the crisis that has engulfed the Lagos State House of Assembly for the past few months. What is the PDP’s position on this matter?
Chief Sanya Atofarati: The APC’s policies are anti-people; they do not practice what they preach. The APC has held power for 26 years, transitioning from the Alliance for Democracy (AD) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). President Tinubu has dominated Lagos politics for decades, and unfortunately, Lagos State is experiencing a serious breakdown in the rule of law.
At present, two individuals claim to be the legitimate Speaker of the House, yet the President has remained silent on the matter. Even more troubling is the fact that an impeached Speaker, accused of corruption, has now been reinstated without being cleared of the allegations.
This situation poses a serious threat to democracy and could plunge the country into chaos.
Lagos is the economic and political heartbeat of Nigeria, and instability in the state will inevitably have far-reaching consequences for the entire nation.
For months, the speakership position has been a source of contention, yet the APC continues to claim it upholds the rule of law. How can that be true when such a crisis persists under its leadership? Now, the big question is: Who is the legitimate Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly?
This crisis reflects a broader problem in Nigerian governance, where political figures cling to power without a clear direction. A Failing Economy, While Politicians Struggle for Power
Meanwhile, the Nigerian economy is crumbling.
- The prices of essential goods continue to skyrocket.
- Inflation is crippling businesses and households.
- The government is more focused on political power struggles than governance.
The average Nigerian is suffering, yet those in power are more concerned with political survival than improving the country. President Tinubu wants to remain in power at all costs. Look at what is happening in Rivers State—another example of his desperation to consolidate power.
For Tinubu, the presidency has always been his lifelong ambition. But does he have a real plan for leading Nigeria? The answer is no. His allies are more focused on manipulating and hijacking power for personal gain rather than governing effectively.
As for the PDP, we are doing our best to offer a better alternative. We want to ensure that the mistakes of the 2023 election do not repeat themselves. The 2027 election will not just be APC vs. PDP—it will be APC vs. Nigerians. People are tired. We are working hard to reclaim Nigeria from those who have mismanaged it.
New Daily Prime: What is your message to the Lagos State Electorate?
Chief Sanya Atofarati: My message to the people of Lagos State is simple:
Do I need to tell traders what to do? Can anyone compare the PDP era with the current APC government?
Let’s talk about facts:
- In 2015, when President Jonathan left office, a bag of rice was ₦8,000.
- Today, that same bag of rice costs as much as ₦130,000 in some places.
Do I need to remind Nigerians of their daily struggles?
People expect the PDP to put its house in order and return to power.
Let me remind you:
- Between 1999 and 2015, under the PDP, a bag of rice increased from ₦4,200 to ₦8,000.
- Under the APC, in less than 10 years, the price of rice has skyrocketed to over ₦130,000!
PDP’s Commitment to Rebuilding Nigeria
Nigerians are expecting the PDP to reorganize, resolve internal conflicts, and focus on saving the country. That is exactly what we are doing under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde in the Southwest and Governor Ademola Adeleke in Osun State. These leaders are working hard to reposition the party for success.
Look at what happened in the last local elections in Osun State—a powerful individual, because of his ties to the Presidency, attempted to manipulate the election and used security forces to undermine the ruling state government. Their goal was to hijack power. However, Nigerians are now fully aware of their tactics. The electorate is watching, and they will not be deceived again.
New Daily Prime: There is no doubt that the PDP has faced various internal crises. How is the party working to resolve them?
Chief Sanya Atofarati: Challenges exist in all political parties. Politics is about interests, and when certain interests are not protected, grievances arise.
Some of our leaders have expressed discontent in the past, but our party has strong internal mechanisms for conflict resolution. As of today, the PDP is making significant progress.
We believe that before the next party congress—both zonal and national—the PDP will be fully repositioned. The PDP remains the best alternative for Nigerians.
We know that APC is manipulative, and we are aware of the vote rigging that took place in the last election. We are reviewing what happened, and we are strategizing to reclaim Nigeria from those who hijacked power.
The PDP is ready to fight for Nigeria’s future. Come 2027, the people will have their say—and they will choose a government that truly works for them.
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