Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, stated on Thursday, November 21, that he has not seriously considered running for governor, despite ongoing speculation.
Obasa emphasised that his primary concern is strengthening the party in the state, which has been misconstrued by political detractors as a governorship ambition.
He made these remarks shortly after Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu presented the state’s 2025 budget of ₦3,005,935,198,401.
Earlier, a vote of confidence was passed on the Speaker by all lawmakers present at the plenary.
Governor Sanwo-Olu announced that the budget includes a total revenue of ₦2,597,034,000,000 and a deficit financing of ₦408,902,000,000.
The ‘Budget of Sustainability’ comprises a recurrent expenditure of ₦1.239 trillion (41%) and capital expenditure of ₦1.766 trillion (59%), sourced from a total revenue of ₦1,970,897,000,000 and total Federal transfers of ₦626,137,000,000.
Reacting to the budget, Speaker Obasa acknowledged the economic complaints from Nigerians but urged them to remain hopeful as President Bola Tinubu’s administration works towards economic recovery.
He clarified that his efforts to mobilize support on the platform of Mandate have been misinterpreted as a selfish aspiration for governorship. Obasa reiterated that his focus is on building the party and promoting its mission.
He added: “I have made it a personal task to mobilise people on the platform of Mandate, which has been misconstrued by some political detractors as being a selfish aspiration on the ground for me to become governor of the state. There is the need, however, to correct this wrong impression. My concern is about building our party, and whatever we do is mainly for this cause.
“To the blackmailers who have embarked on the mission to distort and redefine our mission, let me state it unequivocally here, our intention is to promote our party on the platform of Mandate.
“Also, becoming governor is secondary; it is something that I have not given serious consideration. Nevertheless, that does not mean I am too young or lack experience to run; whereas, those who have been before me are not better off.”
