Leadership is both a rare privilege and a solemn responsibility. In the delicate dance of democracy, the trust of the governed forms the keystone upon which authority rests.
The actions of leaders in this hallowed system transcend mere personal pursuits; they embody collective aspirations, timeless values, and the very soul of governance.
Thus, when a leader falters—swayed by unchecked ambition or tainted by moral compromise—the repercussions resonate far beyond their immediate circle, casting shadows over the institutions they represent.
The ousting of Rt. Hon. Mudasiru Obasa as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly offers a poignant allegory of the perils of disregarding loyalty and the sanctity of public trust.
The Nigerian Constitution, a document steeped in justice and equity, provides an unequivocal mandate for the removal of errant leaders at this level.
The letters and spirit of Section 92(2)(c) outline the Assembly’s power to remove its Speaker or Deputy Speaker through a resolution secured by a two-thirds majority.
This safeguard is more than a procedural mechanism; it is the bulwark against tyranny, a sentinel of integrity that ensures leadership serves the common good rather than personal aggrandizement.
The maxim, ‘Nemo judex in causa sua’ (No one should be a judge in their own cause) resonates deeply within this context.
Just as no leader should wield unchecked authority, none should retain office when their actions corrode the ethical foundations of governance.
The impeachment of Obasa, then, was not merely a procedural inevitability; it was a moral imperative, a reaffirmation of democratic ideals.
Obasa’s reign, however, painted a stark contrast to these lofty principles. Allegations of financial impropriety, divisive politicking, and a disdain for the very ethos of leadership emerged as hallmarks of his tenure.
His conduct, particularly during the presentation of the 2025 appropriation bills, descended into a theatrical spectacle, a mockery of the legislative sanctity entrusted to him.
I attentively observed the tirade unleashed by Hon. Obasa on national television, wherein he audaciously proclaimed that he possesses the same caliber of intellect, leadership acumen, and governance prowess as the distinguished Governors Emeritus of Lagos State, including the highly esteemed incumbent, Mr. Sellable, His Excellency, Mr. Babajide Olushola Sanwo-Olu.
Such a declaration, I assert, is not only uncalled for but a direct affront to the dignity, integrity, and illustrious legacy of these eminent statesmen, who have collectively established Lagos as hub of excellence and progress.
While it is well within Hon. Obasa’s constitutional right to aspire to the gubernatorial seat in Lagos State, his decision to air such ambitions during the formal presentation of appropriation bills within the revered chambers of the Lagos State House of Assembly was both ill-timed and inappropriate.
The legislative chamber is a sanctuary of deliberation, reserved for the critical discourse of governance, not a stage for personal ambition.
By choosing this moment and platform, Hon. Obasa trivialized the solemnity of the legislative process and insulted the collective discernment of Lagosians.
Such a breach of decorum reflects a lack of respect for the institutional sanctity of governance and raises questions about his understanding of timing and propriety.
One would have expected a leader of Hon. Obasa’s standing to exercise restraint and patience, deferring his political ambitions to a more appropriate time.
Instead, his premature foray into the realm of gubernatorial aspirations reveals a glaring lapse in judgment. His actions, underpinned by overconfidence and a disregard for established protocol, preempted the natural order of political engagement and culminated in an avoidable blunder.
Such hubris reflects a troubling detachment from the ethical expectations of leadership and the high standards upheld by the discerning people of Lagos State.
Furthermore, Hon. Obasa’s assertion is fundamentally flawed and grossly misrepresents the legacy of the former governors of Lagos State, often referred to as the “state of aquatic splendor.”
The legacy of Their Excellencies—Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, Sir Michael Otedola (both of blessed memory); Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR (now the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria), Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, and Mr. Babajide Olushola Sanwo-Olu—stands as a proof to transformative governance and visionary leadership.
Each of these luminaries has made profound contributions to the socio-economic and political advancement of Lagos, earning the badges of statesmanship and the enduring respect of its citizens.
With all due respect, Hon. Obasa’s self-comparison to these icons of governance is not only presumptuous but baseless.
He cannot, by any reasonable measure, parallel their intellect, foresight, or leadership acumen.
Governance in Lagos State is far more demanding than merely meeting the constitutional requirements to hold office.
It requires psychological resilience, strategic vision, a proven commitment to public service, and the peculiar ability to lead with humility and accountability.
A leader in Lagos must possess the fortitude to navigate its unique challenges, the intellectual breadth to inspire sustainable progress, and the moral integrity to uphold the collective interests of its diverse populace.
These are qualities that cannot be feigned or claimed through rhetoric—they must be demonstrated through a legacy of impactful leadership.
Unfortunately, Hon. Obasa’s premature and misplaced assertions suggest a superficial grasp of these humongous responsibilities.
Lagosians deserve a leader who not only fulfills constitutional prerequisites but also embodies the gravitas, integrity, and vision required to govern one of Africa’s most dynamic, economically-viable and vibrant states.
Leadership transcends mere ambition; it is about serving a higher purpose and leaving a legacy of progress and transformation.
At present, His Excellency, Mr. Babajide Olushola Sanwo-Olu is firmly on course. His administration continues to consolidate on the successes of his predecessors, moving with the acceleration and distinction befitting the office of the Governor.
Hon. Obasa must recognize that governance is a continuum, and any conversation about succession must respect the timing, protocol and processes that underpin democracy.
Indeed, there is a time for everything under the heavens. Obasa should exercise patience and allow the incumbent to complete his term with the dignity and focus required. Lagosians demand continuity and progress, not premature distractions or unwarranted political maneuvering.
The failure of Obasa’s leadership illuminates an eternal truth: that power, when wielded without restraint, becomes a corrosive force.
As the Latin adage ‘Fiat justitia ruat caelum’, (Let justice be done though the heavens fall) exhorts, the pursuit of justice must remain uncompromised, even in the face of seismic upheaval.
Obasa’s misplaced priorities—where personal ambition eclipsed the call of duty—shattered the covenant of trust binding him to his office.
Leadership, in its truest essence, is a sacred stewardship, an intricate balance of authority and responsibility. When this equilibrium is disrupted by egotism, the very foundations of governance tremble, leaving institutions vulnerable to decay.
In his work The Audacity of Hope, Barack Obama eloquently envisions leadership as a pursuit rooted in accountability and service.
Leadership, he asserts, must transcend the transient allure of power and embrace a steadfast commitment to justice, equity, and collective progress.
Obama’s creed—a luminous tapestry of courage, faith, and humility—stands in glaring contrast to Obasa’s tenure. Where the former inspires hope and unity, the latter devolved into discord and despair.
True leadership is not an ornament of status; it is a crucible of sacrifice, where every decision is measured against the weight of public trust.
As the impeachment proceedings unfolded, they adhered to the Constitution’s tenets with precision and dignity. This was no act of vendetta; it was an expression to the resilience of democracy.
The process demonstrated that no leader, no matter how entrenched, is immune to accountability. It reaffirms the maxim, ‘Lex sed lex’ (The law is the law), underscoring the supremacy of justice over self-interest.
The Lagos State House of Assembly, by holding Obasa accountable, restored faith in the democratic process and reminded the polity of the inviolable nature of the rule of law.
The Latin aphorism, ‘Pactum Servanda” (Agreements must be kept) finds renewed significance in the wake of Obasa’s impeachment.
It encapsulates the sacred covenant that binds leaders to their word, their principles, and the trust bestowed upon them by thier constituents.
Leadership, seen through this lens, is not a mere position of power—it is a solemn pact, a commitment to uphold the values of transparency, equity, and unity.
Obasa’s impeachment starkly illustrates the consequences of betraying this sacred trust.
By abandoning the principles of loyalty and good conscience , he not only forfeited his office but also almost desecrated the fabric of the office of the speaker, eroding public confidence in its integrity.
History and literature teem with cautionary tales of the dangers of unbridled ambition.
From Shakespeare’s Macbeth to the annals of political revolutions, we are reminded that power, when divorced from virtue, breeds chaos.
Like Macbeth’s relentless pursuit of the crown, Obasa’s insatiable desire for influence led him down a path of alienation and ruin.
His story serves as a somber warning of how ambition, unchecked by morality, can consume even the most revered in churches, mosques, multinationals and families.
In the end, Obasa’s impeachment is more than a political reckoning—it is a clarion call to all leaders at all fronts.
It challenges them to rise above personal aspirations and embody the principles of service, humility, and integrity.
It reminds us, the citizens, of our roles as stewards of democracy, ever vigilant in holding power to account.
For leadership, as history attests, is not about the might of authority, but the grace of responsibility.
Let this episode stand as an enduring reminder that leadership is not a privilege to be wielded, but a duty to be fulfilled.
It is a sacred trust, a pact that must always be honoured, lest the very ideals of democracy crumble under the weight of ambition.