24th May, 2024
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa on Friday rubbished claims that he is fighting with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, saying they “siblings from the same father.”
Obasa spoke when Sanwo-Olu led some members of the executive council to pay him a visit in Agege to commiserate with him over his father’s death.
Alhaji Sulaiman Obasa, a businessman with an interest in transportation, oil and gas, died early Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at the age of 83 and was laid to rest that day according to Islamic rites.
Sanwo-Olu was accompanied by the Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Mrs. Abimbola Salu-Hudeyin; Head of Service, Olabode Agoro; Chief of Staff, Tayo Ayinde; and other members of the State Executive Council.
Sanwo-Olu was accompanied by the Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Mrs. Abimbola Salu-Hudeyin; Head of Service, Olabode Agoro; Chief of Staff, Tayo Ayinde; and other members of the State Executive Council.
Obasa debunked the insinuation in some quarters that he is not in good terms with Sanwo-Olu.
He said both of them are “siblings from the same father” who have the same purpose, intention, and mission, which is to serve the people of Lagos State.
“I hold him (Governor) in high esteem and respect him. I don’t have any issues with the Governor. Some people said I was fighting with the Governor, but there is nothing the Governor brought to me that I rejected. There is nothing that he will ask me to do that I will not do because we are siblings from the same father.
“There is no way brothers will fight, and the father will be looking at them fighting. We have the same purpose, intention, and mission, which is to serve the people of Lagos.
“Mr. Governor, you are my brother anytime, any day. Any time you call, I will be there with my colleagues. I thank God for you because whatever we do in the House of Assembly is because you are supporting me. If you don’t support me, there is no way I will get the attention, love, support, and cooperation of the other 39 members.
“As a Speaker, I am just first among equals; we are all the same in the House of Assembly. It is because of your understanding and cooperation that we have a team in the House of Assembly, and the team is working for you.” Obasa assured Governor Sanwo-Olu.
Obasa also charged public office holders to be accountable to the public.
He said, “There is no amount of money that you have acquired that will sustain you. The only thing that will remain is what you have done for your community. Our purpose and intention are to leave a good legacy. So, when we raise our voice, it is because we think we have not done something that we are supposed to do.
“We shouldn’t be selfish and particular about ourselves but about the public because there will come a time when we will leave the office and people will make reference to what we have done and our achievements in office.”
Earlier, Sanwo-Olu said, “We are here to commiserate with you (Obasa) on behalf of the cabinet and the entire people of Lagos State.
“This period has been difficult for all of us in Lagos State in one form or another.
“Losing one’s parent is a very difficult experience, but we are consoled by the fact that Alhaji Sulaiman Obasa lived a fulfilled life and brought forth good children who are carrying on his legacy.
“I pray that God will be with you and the entire Obasa family. God will uphold us, and everything we are doing will be to the benefit of Lagos State and the residents of the State.”
Sanwo-Olu presented a condolence letter, which he personally signed on behalf of the Government and people of Lagos State to the Speaker.