Tinubu Punishes Two Lagos Monarchs for Backing Sanwo-Olu in Obasa Impeachment Saga

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the continued withdrawal of official security personnel from Lagos monarchs Oba Saheed Elegushi and Oba Omogbolahan Oniru over their alleged support for Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu during the failed impeachment of Lagos Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa. The decision, authorised by the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, marks a dramatic fallout in the state’s political hierarchy and signals the president’s intent to hold key figures accountable for what he sees as a betrayal of trust.

Multiple sources confirmed that Tinubu was enraged by the monarchs’ role in a scheme that led to Obasa’s ouster on January 13, reportedly orchestrated with backing from Sanwo-Olu. Though the impeachment was short-lived—Obasa was reinstated on March 3 following a presidential directive—the political damage has lingered, with Tinubu taking steps to punish all those involved, particularly those within his traditional and political circles.

In recent weeks, the absence of police security at the palaces of Oniru and Elegushi has become conspicuous. A source familiar with the situation said Oba Oniru has since employed private guards and outfitted them to resemble state security operatives, underscoring the uncertainty surrounding the restoration of his official detail.

“The president is still furious,” the source said. “He believes the monarchs allowed themselves to be used by Governor Sanwo-Olu without verifying if the impeachment had his blessing.”

Tinubu reportedly expected the monarchs to seek clarification before supporting any move against Obasa, a longstanding political ally. According to insiders, the president sees Obasa—first elected into the Lagos State House of Assembly in 2007 and Speaker since 2015—as vital to his continued dominance over Lagos politics, particularly in the Agege-Alimosho axis, which has been pivotal to his electoral strength.

While Sanwo-Olu denied orchestrating the impeachment and said the action was a decision of the Assembly, sources alleged the governor incentivised lawmakers to remove Obasa. The political fallout has since widened, with the president avoiding events linked to Sanwo-Olu, including a Lagos ceremony held to mark his 73rd birthday.

Efforts by the governor to broker peace, including allegedly rallying traditional rulers across the Southwest to intervene on his behalf, were rebuffed by Tinubu, who viewed them as desperate and insincere. A top Lagos politician involved in those outreach efforts said Tinubu was fully briefed on the manoeuvres and remained unmoved.

The monarchs’ involvement has become even more controversial due to their close ties to Sanwo-Olu and their elevated status in Lagos, which many attribute to Tinubu’s political patronage. Although the stools of Oniru and Elegushi hold less historical weight compared to more prominent Yoruba royal institutions, they have gained significant modern relevance due to their control over lucrative coastal land and their alignment with Lagos’ political elite.

Critics say their prominence has been further cemented through deals involving Tinubu’s longtime associate, Gilbert Chagoury, whose company has benefited from major state and federal infrastructure contracts. Both monarchs have reportedly facilitated land access for Chagoury’s ventures, enhancing their standing within the ruling network.

Responding to the growing controversy, Oniru’s spokesman, Hakeem Akintoye, denied any political involvement by the monarch, attributing his only link to the impeachment saga to his familial connection to Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, who temporarily replaced Obasa as Speaker. “His Royal Majesty is a traditional ruler, not a politician,” he said.

Elegushi has publicly claimed that his security detail remains intact, though insiders say he has made behind-the-scenes appeals for reinstatement.

A spokesman for the president declined to comment on the matter. Sanwo-Olu’s office also did not respond to a request for comment.

The punishment meted out to the monarchs is the latest sign that Tinubu, stung by losing Lagos to Peter Obi in the 2023 presidential election, is determined to solidify loyalty among his allies as 2027 approaches. Sources say the president sees Obasa as irreplaceable in his strategy to keep control of Lagos, and views any threat to that plan—whether from political figures or royal allies—as unacceptable.

“The president wants to maintain a permanent grip on Lagos politics,” a senior aide said. “And he sees Obasa as almost indispensable to achieving that goal.”