The disgraceful political charade unfolding in the Lagos State House of Assembly is the latest proof, if at all one was indeed needed, that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is a governing party that cannot self-govern; a party rotten from within, incapable of upholding even the most basic tenets of democracy. The reinstatement of Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker, executed through brute political force, is not just an attack on the legislature – it is a brazen confirmation that APC cannot even govern itself, let alone a nation. The political machinations, orchestrated by the highest levels of the party hierarchy, is nothing short of a crude subversion of legislative independence and an outright assault on democracy. This disgraceful and meaningless display of naked power underscores a painful truth: the APC, under President Bola Tinubu, is not a party of democratic ideals. It is a party of intimidation and coercion. It has no respect for legislative independence, no regard for democratic norms, and no patience for dissent. As the events in Lagos unfold, one thing is clear – the APC is not leading by consensus; it is ruling by decree.
The very idea that a cabal of party overlords, led by President Tinubu, can overrule the will of elected legislators proves that Nigeria under APC is not a democracy, but an autocracy masquerading as one. This was not governance – it was a coup, an illegal power grab that has cemented Lagos as a political fiefdom where elections and legislative processes are mere formalities, always subject to the whims of an all-powerful leader. If the APC cannot even allow internal party democracy to function, how can it claim to govern a nation with fairness, equity, and accountability?
It is an open secret that Obasa’s ouster was the result of widespread dissatisfaction within the Assembly over his high-handed leadership. His arrogance, unchecked power, and history of dictatorial antics made him unfit for the role. The majority of the House members, in an unprecedented show of defiance, threw their weight behind former Speaker, Mojisola Meranda. But instead of respecting the decision of the Assembly, Obasa found solace in the corridors of raw executive power, enlisting none other than President Tinubu to strong-arm legislators into reinstating him. Tinubu’s command, disguised as advisory was clear: “I am the founder and the leader of the party. As the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic, I deserve to be consulted before removing the speaker. Return Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly. Reinstate him; he will behave well going forward.” These words, dripping with the arrogance of unchecked authority, serve as an ominous warning for any dissenting voices within the APC’s ranks. This is not governance; this is feudalism dressed in the garb of democracy.
Tinubu’s words alone should send chills down the spine of every Nigerian who still believes in democracy. What does this say about our democracy when the President intervenes to overturn a decision made by duly elected lawmakers? What does it say about the APC’s so-called commitment to democratic governance? What kind of leadership treats democratic institutions as personal property? What kind of ruling party sees legislative independence as an inconvenience rather than a necessity?
Let’s call this what it is – tyranny. The APC has become a party so consumed by its own greed and desperation for absolute control that it no longer respects the structures of governance. The Lagos Assembly was not allowed to make its own decisions; it was strong-armed into submission, forced to bow to the dictatorial grip of party leaders.
The APC’s justification for this blatant political coup is as laughable as it is alarming. APC spokesperson, Seye Oladejo, shamelessly attempted to gaslight Nigerians by claiming that the APC only intervened at the request of the legislators who could not resolve their disputes. This is a pathetic lie. The legislators already resolved the issue by voting Obasa out. The only “resolution” left was the one dictated by Tinubu and enforced by a party that has long abandoned any pretense of internal democracy. It was Tinubu and his enforcers who forced an outcome favorable to their personal political interests, disregarding democratic norms entirely.
Even more appalling is the silence from so-called party elders. The Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), once seen as a stabilizing force of Lagos politics, has been reduced to a mere puppet, unable to stand against the strongman tactics of the APC’s leadership. Their role in this debacle has been reduced to that of a toothless arbitration panel, bullied into submission by a party machinery that brooks no opposition. Where are their voices now? Are they so terrified of Tinubu’s wrath that they dare not speak out against this glaring injustice? Or have they fully embraced the culture of dictatorship that now defines the APC? Those within the GAC who still hold onto their integrity must now decide whether they will continue to enable this despotism or finally stand against the erosion of democratic norms.
The consequences of this brigandage extend beyond Lagos politics. This is not just about Lagos. It is about the future of Nigeria. The APC’s lawlessness in Lagos is a preview of what awaits the entire country if this gang of power-drunk politicians is not stopped. They have demonstrated that they do not believe in elections, do not believe in legislative independence, and do not believe in democracy itself. What they believe in is raw, unchecked power, wielded with impunity. With the 2027 elections in sight, this move is an unmistakable sign of the APC’s desperation to secure control over the South-West at any cost. The removal and reinstatement of Obasa were not just about legislative politics – they were about ensuring absolute loyalty to the party’s grander schemes. Those who orchestrated this power play understand that controlling Lagos is crucial to retaining dominance at the national level. And if this is how they treat their own party and legislature, what should ordinary Nigerians expect in 2027?
And let us not forget the brazen lawlessness exhibited by Obasa himself, which is an affront to the very idea of governance. Deploying armed security personnel to the Assembly complex in a show of brute force is not just undemocratic—it is an act of political thuggery that reeks of desperation which is illegal and criminal. Yet, the APC has conveniently turned a blind eye to this blatant act of intimidation and political gangsterism. If the party had any real commitment to democratic values, it would have condemned such behavior outright. Instead, it has chosen to embolden Obasa and his ilk, setting a dangerous precedent for future legislative impunity. Why wouldn’t they? This is the same party that thrives on coercion, rigging, and backroom deals rather than the will of the people.
The APC has lost all legitimacy. It cannot even govern itself, let alone Lagos, let alone Nigeria. The people of Lagos must wake up to the reality that their state is being run like a mafia cartel, where the law is whatever the Supreme Leader says it is. If their legislature can be hijacked so easily, what hope remains for governance that is truly for the people and by the people? If this assault on democracy is allowed to stand, what is next? Will the Presidency dictate gubernatorial decisions? Will state assemblies be disbanded whenever they dare to challenge party overlords? Lagosians must resist this creeping dictatorship. The people must demand accountability, reject this political enslavement, and refuse to accept a party that spits in the face of democracy. If the APC cannot even practice internal democracy, it has no business leading a democratic nation. If Lagos is the template, then Nigeria is on the fast track to authoritarian rule. The people must rise before it is too late.
