The crisis within the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has escalated as critics challenge the continued relevance of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC). The body, originally created by President Bola Tinubu during his tenure as governor, has functioned as the apex decision-making entity in Lagos politics but now faces mounting criticism.
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The GAC, established in 1999, gained prominence in 2007 and has since steered the state’s political direction. While Tinubu remains its key figure, other influential members, including former governors, senators, and elder statesmen, play a crucial role in shaping governance in Lagos.
The group has been instrumental in major political decisions, such as blocking former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s second-term bid and orchestrating the recent removal of the Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa. Critics argue that the GAC has outlived its usefulness and has become a burden on Tinubu and the state government, prompting calls for its abolition.
Chaired by Prince Tajudeen Olusi, the GAC comprises 30 members, including Tinubu and his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, alongside political heavyweights such as Babatunde Fashola, Mudashiru Obasa, and Tony Adefuye. However, internal conflicts within the group have surfaced, dividing members into two factions: the Justice Forum (JF) and the Mandate Movement (MM).
The MM faction, comprising figures like Obasa and Cardinal James Odunmbaku, faces opposition from JF members, including Olusi and Senator Musiliu Obanikoro. This split has exacerbated tensions, with some members expressing discontent over segregation based on state of origin, as several non-Lagos indigenes hold influential positions.
Obasa’s removal on January 13, 2025, marked a significant moment in Lagos politics. The former speaker faced allegations of financial mismanagement involving ₦44 billion allocated for vehicles and capital projects over two years. Records indicate that while ₦30.19 billion was earmarked for vehicles in 2023 and another ₦13.33 billion in 2024, many of these purchases were either unaccounted for or not delivered.
Additionally, Obasa was accused of excessive spending on properties and office construction, raising concerns over fiscal mismanagement. Critics argue that these expenditures, including ₦1.1 billion on properties in 2023 and ₦15.65 billion on office construction, demonstrated a pattern of financial recklessness. Obasa has, however, denied any wrongdoing.
The former speaker’s troubles deepened following a high-profile meeting at Tinubu’s Ikoyi residence during the 2024 holiday break. During this meeting, Olusi and other GAC members highlighted Obasa’s alleged disrespect towards Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his confrontational approach to governance.
Tinubu reportedly berated Obasa for his role in drafting the controversial 2024 Local Government Administration Law, which sought to empower the Lagos State House of Assembly to remove the Chairman of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC). The president also expressed displeasure over Obasa’s 2027 gubernatorial ambitions, widely seen as a threat to party unity.
Obasa’s removal, executed in absentia by 32 out of 40 lawmakers, reaffirmed the GAC’s influence. However, the decision sparked conflicting reactions within the council. While some MM members supported Obasa, JF members remained indifferent.
Prominent GAC figures such as Tony Adefuye and Musiliu Obanikoro publicly disagreed over the legality of the impeachment. While Adefuye argued that Obasa’s removal was procedurally flawed, Obanikoro dismissed his concerns as “careless and inconsequential.”
Following Obasa’s impeachment, Meranda, from Lagos Central, was installed as Speaker, disrupting the state’s zoning arrangement. Traditionally, Lagos Central held the governor’s seat (Sanwo-Olu), Lagos East had the deputy governor (Obafemi Hamzat), and Lagos West was represented by the Speaker.
The shift has unsettled political dynamics, with Tinubu reportedly concerned that Lagos West, which holds a significant portion of the state’s population, has been sidelined. Despite efforts to reinstate Obasa or adjust the zoning configuration, lawmakers from Lagos West chose to support Meranda, effectively ending Obasa’s bid for reinstatement.
The crisis underscores the shifting power dynamics within Lagos APC. While Tinubu remains the political godfather, the GAC’s ability to impose decisions without resistance appears to be waning. With Lagos politics becoming increasingly fragmented, the coming months will determine whether the GAC can maintain its grip or if internal divisions will lead to a reconfiguration of the state’s political structure.
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