Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa has strongly criticized the African Democratic Congress (ADC), labeling its members as “haters of good things” and referring to the party as an “Aggrieved Disjointed Council.” The remarks were delivered during a special prayer session in Lagos held to celebrate President Bola Tinubu’s 74th birthday.
Obasa’s criticism extended to a pointed, veiled reference to former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola. He described Aregbesola as “a great betrayer who ate with us,” alluding to a political breach of trust. The Speaker used a proverb to underscore his point: “Whenever you see somebody with clothes without a pocket, just run away,” implying unreliability.
The core of Obasa’s argument centered on the ADC’s governance record. He stated that during the party’s prior time in power, there was a four-year period without any commissioners and an eight-year span without functional local governments, characterizing it as a period of “sole proprietor management.” He contrasted this past with the ADC’s current rhetoric, expressing skepticism towards their promises of new solutions. “Now they are coming back to tell us that they have magic wand they want to use, something that they did not use while they occupied the office,” Obasa said, adding, “I will not be part of ADC that Nigerians are against.”
The speech occurred at a politically significant event—a birthday homage to the nation’s president—amplifying its partisan nature. Obasa’s comments highlight deep-seated political tensions and strategic positioning within Nigeria’s complex political landscape, particularly in the southwest, ahead of future electoral cycles. By invoking historical governance failures and alleging betrayal, the Speaker aimed to discredit the ADC’s credibility and caution political allies against aligning with the party. The remarks underscore ongoing efforts by major party figures to consolidate support and define opposition narratives in the public sphere.
