By Lateef Ibrahim
Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has denied allegations that he sponsored recent protests arising from the All Progressives Congress (APC) legislative primaries in Lagos State.
The Speaker’s response follows a wave of demonstrations by aggrieved APC members challenging the conduct and outcome of the party’s House of Assembly primaries across several parts of the state.
Protesters from local government areas including Badagry, Mushin, Amuwo-Odofin, Eti-Osa, Somolu, Ajeromi-Ifelodun and Oshodi-Isolo gathered at the APC secretariat on ACME Road in Ikeja on Tuesday, alleging irregularities in the primary process.
The demonstrations have been part of a broader backlash that followed the publication of candidates said to have emerged from the party’s primaries.
Amid the controversy, messages circulated on WhatsApp claiming that Obasa provided N2 billion to coordinate and finance protests across the state.
However, the Speaker dismissed the allegation as false, insisting that he had no involvement in organizing or sponsoring any demonstration.
Describing the claims as malicious and misleading, Obasa questioned why he would be linked to protests over an election in which he was not a contestant.
“It is foolhardy, malicious, misleading and baseless for anybody to assume or imply that I will import or mobilise protesters from different local governments to the secretariat. To achieve what exactly?” he said.
The Speaker also challenged the logic behind claims that he would spend such a huge amount on protests when he was not directly affected by the outcome of the disputed primaries.
“I am not a candidate in the disputed election, so why and how will I devote such an amount of money to organising protests?” he added.
Obasa further emphasized his commitment to maintaining peace and cohesion within the APC, warning against attempts to use his office or reputation to fuel internal divisions.
According to him, he remains focused on promoting unity within the ruling party and supporting efforts aimed at preserving stability in Lagos politics.
“I am a peace-loving party man, and I abhor the use of my name and office for any form of illegality or to sow division within the party,” he stated.
The Speaker reiterated that his priority remains the continued unity, peace and progress of the APC, amid growing tensions generated by complaints over the conduct of the party’s legislative primaries in Lagos State.
