Warnings are emerging that a new political showdown may soon erupt in Lagos State, pitting Governor Sanwo-Olu against Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa. The unresolved tensions between these two influential figures suggest that the battle for supremacy is far from over.

Reports indicate that the Speaker, emboldened by a perceived directive from the executive, is contemplating a bold move to confront the governor. The air is thick with anticipation as these political rivals seem poised to clash once more, each determined to assert their dominance in the state’s power dynamics.

Another Executive-Legislative showdown is brewing in Lagos State as the House of Assembly under the speakership of Mudashiru Obasa today asked the State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu to withdraw appointment letters to appointees who are yet to be “cleared by the Assembly.”

It is a public knowledge that Obasa and Sanwo-Olu are not on good terms. This was believed to be one of the reasons behind Obasa’s recent removal.

However, the speaker managed to secure the backing of the “powers that be,” who facilitated his return as speaker.

At plenary on Tuesday, lawmakers angrily reacted to what they described as “the growing practice of political appointees assuming office without the constitutionally required confirmation of the House.”

Obasa said the development was a direct challenge to legislative authority, warning that it “tests the powers of the House.”

He held the Head of Service responsible for issuing appointment letters without legislative clearance and announced that the official will be summoned to explain.

Obasa further urged the Governor to withdraw all letters issued to appointees yet to be screened.

This follows a motion titled “Need for Government Appointees to appear before the House for Confirmation.”

Hon. Setonji David, Deputy Chief Whip, cited Sections 126 & 198 of the 1999 Constitution, stressing that no public officer should assume office without legislative screening, warning that such actions undermine separation of powers and weaken accountability.

Hon. Desmond Elliot called the development “an insult to the House,” insisting that no appointee or institution should defy Lagos laws.

Hon. Sa’ad Olumoh noted that some agencies operate without legal frameworks, which erodes due process in a state built on the rule of law.

Hon. Stephen Ogundipe reminded all aspiring public officers that confirmation is not a mere formality but a safeguard to ensure competence, integrity, and good character.

Hon. Kehinde Joseph demanded sanctions for repeated constitutional breaches and urged that any funds spent by unconfirmed officers be refunded to government coffers.

Hon. Rasheed Shabi condemned the lack of respect for legislative authority, describing the issuance of appointment letters without confirmation as a direct affront to the Constitution.

The Speaker directed the Clerk of the House, Barr. Olalekan Onafeko, to forward the Assembly’s resolution to the Governor for immediate action.

Musa Ilyasu Kwankwoso, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State has sent a message to former Kaduna State Governor, Nasiru El-Rufai.

According to him, El-Rufai can’t remove President Bola Tinubu the same way he orchestrated the removal of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Kwankwaso stated this ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement issued to journalists in Kano on Tuesday, Kwankwaso described El-Rufai’s approach as outdated and ineffective, warning that the same tactics used against former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015 could not be replicated against Tinubu.

“You cannot oust President Bola Tinubu from the presidency in 2027 by engaging in the same method you did to former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015, using poverty, insecurity and economic devastation. Your blackmail is clear to all,” Kwankwaso said.

The APC chieftain maintained that President Tinubu had made notable progress in addressing insecurity and stabilizing prices of commodities, crediting National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu for ongoing improvements in the security sector. He accused El-Rufai of being displeased with these gains, insisting that Nigerians could clearly see the government’s efforts.

Kwankwaso further challenged El-Rufai to present evidence to support his allegations that the Tinubu administration was sponsoring banditry and other criminal acts. “In the absence of such evidence, El-Rufai should desist from further comments and allow the government to continue the good things it is doing for Nigerians,” he added.

He also alleged that El-Rufai was attempting to instigate the northern region against the Tinubu administration, but stressed that northerners were “not stupid” and could see the progress being made in areas like Birnin Gwari, Sokoto, and Borno.

Tagging the emerging coalition of opposition politicians as “a failure,” Kwankwaso argued that figures such as Atiku Abubakar, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and El-Rufai had nothing better to offer Nigerians. “Who amongst them has performed as good as Tinubu when he had the chance?” he asked.

The Kano APC stalwart also recalled recent successes recorded by security agencies in arresting commanders of bandits and terrorists. He called on Nigerians to continue supporting the Tinubu administration while discarding “all forms of blackmail perpetrated by opposition figures.”

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