Obanikoro Faults Adefuye’s Statement On Obasa’s Impeachment

A former Nigerian Ambassador to Ghana and two-time Minister, Musiliu Obanikoro, has criticized a statement by a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Anthony Adefuye, expressing support for the impeached Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa.

Obasa, who represented Agege 1 Constituency, was removed as Speaker on January 13 over alleged misconduct. He was replaced by his former deputy, Mojisola Meranda.

Obasa denied the allegations and claimed his impeachment did not follow due process.

In a recent interview, Adefuye, a member of the Lagos State Governance Advisory Council (GAC), backed Obasa’s claims of an illegal impeachment.

“What he is saying is that he was illegally removed and the procedure was faulty, and I agree with him,” Adefuye said.

Reacting to Adefuye’s comments, Obanikoro described the statement as “unfortunate, childish, and inconsequential.”

He criticized the APC chieftain for making a public pronouncement on such a sensitive issue without the collective decision of the GAC.

“Senator Adefuye’s comment shouldn’t have come up. As leaders, when there are serious issues of this magnitude, rushing to make press or personal statements is unbecoming,” Obanikoro said in an interview on Sunday.

The former minister emphasized the importance of respecting hierarchy within the APC and the GAC. He pointed out that the matter had already attracted the attention of President Bola Tinubu, who has intervened in the crisis.

“Moreso, our leader, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, waded in on the matter, so I believe nobody should come out individually to express an opinion based on privileged status,” Obanikoro added.

Obanikoro urged members of the GAC to exercise restraint and avoid making unilateral statements that could undermine the party’s structure and processes.

“Since 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.