Former Minister of Communications and Alternate Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of De Renaissance Patriots Foundation, Major General Tajudeen Olanrewaju (Rtd), has described the impeachment of Mr. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly as the “Law of Karma” in action.
In a detailed statement released on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, Olanrewaju reflected on the political journey of the ousted Speaker, warning that his fall was inevitable due to past decisions and political missteps.
The retired General recalled his earlier warning to Obasa during the 2023 political process, advising him to allow an indigene of Lagos State to assume the speakership position. According to Olanrewaju, Obasa, an indigene of Ogun State, disregarded this advice and chose to cling to power for a controversial third term as Speaker.
“Constitutionally, you cannot claim two states of origin. Obasa’s decision to push forward despite this reality was a mistake that contributed to his eventual fall,” Olanrewaju said.
Olanrewaju anchored his reaction on the Law of Karma, referencing The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success. Quoting from the book, he explained:
“Karma is both action and the consequences of that action. It is cause and effect simultaneously because every action generates a force of energy that returns to us in like kind. What you sow is what you reap.”
He further elaborated that Obasa’s actions while in office, including his attempts to silence critics and his disregard for political accountability, made his downfall inevitable.
Olanrewaju criticized Obasa for overstepping his political boundaries, accusing him of arrogance and an overambitious quest for power. “Politicians who play their political ping-pong game of arrogance, especially in Lagos State, often ignore the slippery ground,” he remarked.
He added that Obasa’s rumored intentions to contest for the Lagos governorship in 2027 without authorization from key powerbrokers amounted to political “harakiri.”
Olanrewaju lamented the influence of non-indigenes in Lagos State’s political structure, emphasizing the negative impact it has on the state’s indigenous people.
“When non-indigenes dominate and disobey the superior standing orders of leadership, they often forget themselves. They continue to hold onto power, ignoring the negative impact their actions have on the sons and daughters of the state,” he said.
The retired General called for a return to indigenous leadership in Lagos, urging political actors to prioritize the interests of Lagosians.
“The lessons to be learned from this episode are clear: power should be given to the IBILE indigenes of Lagos State, who can manage themselves better and more successfully,” Olanrewaju stated.
He concluded with a warning: “Who knows who is next? A stitch in time saves nine.”
Mudashiru Obasa was impeached from his position as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly following allegations of misconduct and internal party disputes. His removal has sparked discussions about the dominance of non-indigenes in Lagos politics and the role of powerbrokers in shaping the state’s political landscape.
