The recent turmoil within the Lagos State House of Assembly has once again highlighted the deep-rooted political power struggles in Nigeria. On March 3, 2025, Mudashiru Obasa, who had been impeached weeks earlier over allegations of fraud, was reinstated as Speaker following intense political maneuvering. His impeachment and the swearing-in of Mojisola Lasbat Meranda Speaker initially suggested a shift in legislative leadership. However, this change was short-lived as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reportedly insisted on Obasa’s return, demonstrating the continued influence of political godfatherism in Lagos politics.
The crisis in the Lagos Assembly mirrors past political upheavals in the state. Many recall how Akinwunmi Ambode, a former Lagos governor, was effectively removed from office despite a strong performance record. Ambode’s refusal to align with Tinubu’s directives cost him a second term, as he was denied the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket and replaced by Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
A similar struggle is playing out in Rivers State, where the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, is locked in a battle for control over Governor Siminalayi Fubara. This power struggle escalated when 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike defected to the APC in what many believe was a strategic move to strengthen their position in an attempt to impeach Fubara. While the judiciary has reserved judgment on the case, public confidence in the courts remains low due to past allegations of judicial corruption.
The events in Lagos and Rivers State raise serious legal and constitutional concerns. Under Section 92(2)(c) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), a Speaker of a House of Assembly can only be removed by a two-thirds majority of members. While the Lagos Assembly followed this process in impeaching Obasa, his reinstatement through external political pressure calls into question the independence of the legislative arm.
Similarly, in Rivers State, the defection of the 27 lawmakers brings into focus Section 109(1)(g) of the Constitution, which stipulates that a legislator must vacate their seat upon defecting from the party that sponsored their election—unless the party is in crisis. The Supreme Court of Nigeria has upheld this provision in previous rulings, making the status of the defecting lawmakers uncertain. However, skepticism surrounds the judiciary’s ability to uphold the law impartially, given past accusations of corruption within the judicial system. Former Senator Adamu Bulkachuwa once admitted to influencing his wife, a former Court of Appeal judge, raising concerns about political interference in court rulings.
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The Lagos and Rivers State crises exemplify the enduring struggle between political godfathers and democratic institutions in Nigeria. The interference in legislative processes undermines the independence of state assemblies and calls into question the country’s commitment to the rule of law. As Nigerians await judicial decisions on these ongoing battles, public trust in governance and the judiciary remains a pressing concern in the fight for a truly democratic system.
