When 4 is ‘Greater’ than 36. Obasa, the Cat with Nine Lives

By Kayode Ogunjobi The cat in African folklore is the epitome of mystery and survival. It is agile and cunning and moves through life with a grace that belies its uncanny ability to escape peril. Whether it is narrowly avoiding a fall from a great height, slipping away from an impending danger, or emerging from the shadows just when you think it is lost, the cat seems to have an extra layer of luck or perhaps even some supernatural grace. Its ability to move around unnoticed and appear from the ‘dark’ is also remarkable.

With each life, the cat wears a mark of experience, its eyes gleaming with wisdom from past escapes. Its sleek and shimmering coat reflects a feline that has seen more than most could ever imagine, and every leap or playful pounce feels like it could be the last—but it never is. It always lands on its feet, no matter the challenge, with the playful yet knowing look of a creature who has been through it all and has somehow come out unscathed.

I remember in the early 90s during the fighting between students of secondary schools and some individuals whose back could not be put on the floor no matter how hard they were defeated were tagged as cats with nine lives. You could beat them , blood may even be flowing from them but they would hold firmly to their adversary looking for an opportunity to leave an outstanding mark on the aggressor.

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The cat leaves with it a rhetorical question on the number of lives it has. Every scratch, every slip, every near-miss only adds to its legendary status. The cat is therefore a classical symbol of persistence and resilience, a creature that dances with fate and walks away untouched.

Mudashiru Obasa’s name became very prominent in the last few weeks. Many that have never heard of his name heard of his name when he was impeached as the Speaker of Lagos Assembly. Many that have heard of his name but had never seen his picture got to know his face during his fall from speakership as his face was everywhere. The fall also provided some of us who do not know much about him to interrogate his personality. While I do not fancy his casual or perhaps uncoordinated communication skills during his public comments after the political tsunami that swept him off his seat, it is noteworthy that he has scripted his place in the annals of political history. His restoration has proven that politics, just like the tides of Lagos state is very unpredictable or how does one explain that 4 people will become stronger and more powerful than 36 contemporaries.

His journey in the Lagos State Assembly began in 2003, when he was first elected to represent Agege Constituency 1. Obasa has certainly built a formidable political structure to become one of the longest-serving legislators in Lagos State, if not the country. That he has remained as Speaker since 2015 is remarkable though his leadership had been trailed by both controversy and strategic maneuvering.

His leadership had faced numerous threats from allegations of financial mismanagement to party intrigues, leadership battles and most recently when it appeared that he had interest in the Lagos State No 1 Seat, he courted a new set of enemies . The most significant of these threats came in January 2025, when he was impeached by 36 out of 40 lawmakers in a dramatic move that sent shock-waves across the political landscape. He apparently did not envisage it just as many of the political gladiators also claimed that they did not see it coming. The impeachment was clinically midwifed and the christening was left for a time that Obasa himself was outside the country.

Obasa’s fall from grace was as swift and brutal. He was hit below the belt with no chance for recovery. However, his come-back has created a new theory for the political students, pundits and politicians. In the bigger picture, it confirms that anything is possible in politics.

In the ever-dynamic and unpredictable world of Nigerian politics, not a handful politicians have demonstrated the resilience and survival instincts of Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa. Like the proverbial cat with nine lives, Obasa in the last few weeks has weathered the storms, navigated turbulent political waters, and has turned around what hitherto had been termed ” O ti lo” in common parlance meaning it is irredeemable.

On January 13, 2025, Obasa was impeached by 36 out of 40 lawmakers over allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of office and Mojisola Meranda was elected as the new Speaker same day. By February 15, 2025, an embattled Obasa had filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of his impeachment and seeking reinstatement.

For many, the impeachment of Obasa appeared to be the end of his reign. His opponents celebrated his fall, believing that the era of Obasa had finally come to an end. However, true to his reputation as a strategist, he did not go down without a fight. Just as the people were envisaging the outcome of the legal procedure, Obasa made a dramatic return to the Assembly complex on February 27, 2025 and shocked the airwaves when he asserted that he was still the Speaker, which led to heightened security at the Assembly. In one of the videos which went viral, one of the people at the Assembly when he made a dramatic return to the Assembly in a commando-like manner to reaffirm his Speakership, stated that he had warned his friends that Obasa is a strategist. While many thought that his visit to the Assembly would heightened the tension and make the case worse, events thereafter proved otherwise.

With a combination of the legal procedures and political maneuvering maximising his deep-rooted connections within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Obasa staged an unpredictable and perhaps historical comeback. It was a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the unpredictability of politics.

By March 3, 2025, just 49 days after his impeachment, the political tides had turned in his favor. His successor, Mojisola Meranda, resigned amid intense pressure from party stakeholders, citing threats to the Assembly’s democracy and paving the way for Obasa’s reinstatement as Speaker. This swift turnaround appears to be a testament of political dexterity if a super game is not being played.

It is believed in many quarters that a major factor in Obasa’s resilience has been his strong ties to the presidency. Many believe that Obasa could not have had the wit and dexterity to stage a comeback, particularly his mobilisation to the house without the support of the President though Obasa did not allude his decisions and actions to the President. The police has also absolved itself of any complicity. According to Obasa, the President had more issues on his hands. However, the events that followed are pointers to the fact that Obasa enjoy good fellowship with the power brokers who were willing to go all out for him with the bigger picture hanging in the air. The blind can see and the dumb can decipher that what played out in Lagos was not the resultant desires and effects of the honourables but a reflection of the broader political interests of the party’s national leadership. However, the selling point is still a mystery.

The return of Obasa, however, has also reignited debates about legislative independence and the role of party dominance in Nigeria’s democracy. It was crystal clear that the legislators were tired of his leadership and that he had lost their trust and respect but his reinstatement reflects the power struggle within the Lagos political system rather than a genuine democratic process. It was a clear deviation from the expected outcome but a political exigency which only the active players know why they placed so much premium. A legislator baffled by the desecration of the influence and power of the legislators was reported to have burst into tears. However, the same legislator lacked the courage to raise a dissenting voice when Obasa was presented to the house again as Speaker. Those who had marched to the court and lined up behind Mojisola Meranda suddenly went into mute mode. They had claimed that there was no interference which is difficult to believe. That 36 adults did a 360 degrees on an issue that they had expressed conviction stands logic in the head.

Regardless of the opinions and counter-opinions, one fact remains clear—Obasa is a survivor. Whether by sheer political intelligence, error of his adversaries, strategic networking, or unwavering resilience, he has carved a niche for himself as one of the most enduring political figures in Lagos State. Obasa has proven that 4 could be greater and stronger than 36. The question now is: how many more lives does Obasa have left after this debacle? What are the games being played?

The political drama in Lagos State, which lasted for 49 days has its dire consequences on the structural integrity of APC in Lagos State and Nigeria as it has deepened divisions within the Lagos chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Many things have been said and many unknown internal conflicts are now known, thereby exposing the party. The leaders had claimed that they were not aware of the impeachment and have achieved face-saving by returning Obasa as Speaker but not without a scar on the vulnerability of the group. How the party is able to manage the internal conflicts and strained relationships among lawmakers will surely determine whether it will emerge stronger or weaker.

The return of Obasa has multifaceted consequences for Lagos State, which is the commercial nerve of Nigeria and, by extension, for Nigeria. If the political infighting continues, it would affect governance, slowing down progress and may also cause crisis if not well managed. Obasa should not and must not see himself as a winner. Obasa must embark on a diligent reflection to critically analyse his leadership traits that made 36 out of 40 colleagues go against him in a house he had presided over for 10 years. He must accord his colleagues due respect and unite all political factions. His colleagues, on the other hand, must be ready and willing to adjust in the overall interest of the good people of Lagos State.

Kayode Ogunjobi is a Writer and Public Affairs Analyst