“Let New Chairmen Breathe” — Obasa Warns Former LG Bosses …As Lagos Assembly Celebrates First Lady Remi Tinubu At 65

Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, has issued a stern warning to immediate past local government and council chairmen in the state, urging them to stop interfering in the affairs of their successors.

Obasa spoke on Tuesday, September 23, during a meeting with newly elected chairmen—the second in one month—held inside the Lateef Jakande Auditorium at the Assembly Complex.

The Speaker condemned reports that some former council bosses were still exerting undue influence, in some cases colluding with treasurers and managers to sign cheques.

“How can you be answerable to your predecessors?” Obasa queried the new chairmen. “What you owe them is honour, not control. They have done their bit and everybody is grateful. You are the ones in the saddle now—so take charge.”

Addressing the ex-chairmen directly, though in absentia, the Speaker declared:

“Let the new chairmen breathe. Let the public see that there are new sheriffs in town doing a good job. Don’t take their shine. Remove your grip from their necks.”

He also cautioned the incumbents against blindly servicing loans contracted by their predecessors, urging them to carry out due diligence.

“Before you start paying loans, ask questions. Where you are unsure of what the loan was used for, look through the books. If you can renegotiate or restructure the terms, do so for the benefit of your constituents,” he advised.

Reminding the chairmen that political time is short, he said:

“Four years is not long in politics. If the public doesn’t see results within four months, you have already created the wrong impression. Manage interests, yes—but not at the detriment of your councils and the people.”

On a more somber note, Obasa lamented the spate of recent deaths among council officials across the state, describing it as unprecedented and worrisome. He urged the new chairmen to take their health seriously and prioritise the well-being of their people.

Celebrating a First Lady at 65

Earlier at plenary, members of the Assembly took turns to celebrate Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who marked her 65th birthday on Sunday, September 21.

Hon. Oladipo Ajomale (Oshodi/Isolo Constituency II) hailed her as “a mother who has done so well for the nation,” praising her commitment to the underprivileged. Hon. Stephen Ogundipe (Oshodi Constituency I) recalled working with her during Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second term as Lagos Governor, describing her as “not just a pillar behind the President, but a woman genuinely devoted to uplifting lives.”

Princess Lara Oyekan-Olumegbon (Lagos Island Constituency I) lauded her empowerment initiatives, while the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Mojisola Meranda, described Senator Tinubu as “the mother of the nation,” praying that she finishes well just as she started well.

In his closing remarks, Speaker Obasa praised the First Lady’s consistency and loyalty, citing her decision as Lagos First Lady to sustain rather than abandon the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO), a project that continues to impact lives.

“She is a woman with so many qualities,” Obasa said. “As a Senator, she served her district with passion, dedication, and loyalty. We congratulate her and pray for God’s continued grace.”

The House thereafter directed the Clerk to send a congratulatory letter to the First Lady.