Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has condemned the three-hour delay experienced by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu when he arrived at the Lagos State House of Assembly to present the 2025 budget appropriation for passage into law.
The delay, orchestrated by the former Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, was described by Chief George as “despicable.”
Recall that Obasa was removed from office on January 13, 2025, through a majority vote by the 40-member parliament over allegations of financial misappropriation, misconduct, and high-handedness, among others. He was replaced by his deputy, Rt. Hon. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda.
Speaking at a press conference at his Ikoyi office, Chief George emphasised that Governor Sanwo-Olu remains the leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos.
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He questioned the rationale behind the governor being subjected to such a delay, asking, “Could he accept to go and read the budget and be delayed for three hours? Who is the leader?”
Chief George, who is also the Atona Oodua of Yorubaland, recalled his first and only encounter with former Speaker Obasa, describing it as pleasant and noting that Obasa had displayed Omoluabi (Yoruba virtue of respect and integrity) traits.
He said, “Why won’t they fight? The young man, former Speaker Obasa—I met him once at the airport. He came to me, greeted me with full respect, and behaved like an Omoluabi.
“I asked for his name, and he said, ‘Obasa.’ I exclaimed, ‘Ah! Speaker of the State Assembly!’ I called him Omoluabi, and he thanked me for honoring him. That’s Yoruba culture.”
“When we got down at Heathrow Airport, he carried my suitcase and my bag for me. That was my first impression of him. But of recent, what he did was despicable.
The governor of the state is the leader of the party because they both belong to the same party. Could he accept to go and read the budget and be delayed for three hours? Who is the leader? No matter that we have three arms of government, who is the boss?”
Chief George also reacted to Governor Sanwo-Olu’s claim that he had no involvement in Obasa’s removal, stating that the governor should not shy away from acknowledging his role.
He continued, “He should have his head, his hands, and stomach there [in Obasa’s removal], unless he is not the leader of the party.
“Why is he afraid to say it? Could Obasa accept that attitude from anyone if he were the governor? If it were a different party, that would be a different matter entirely,” he said.
