Anthony Kila

Dear Readers,

“Cosa Nostra” is an Italian phrase that literally translates to “our thing” or, as some writers prefer, “our affairs”—six of one and half a dozen of the other, at least on the surface. More intriguingly, this phrase is one of the terms used to reference the Sicilian and American mafia, which many assert has its origins in the Sicilian mafia. Members of these organised crime groups also refer to themselves as the family: la famiglia.

In 2025, and indeed for about two decades, explicit violence is no longer a defining trait of groups such as the Cosa Nostra. These groups now operate directly within business circles, including the stock exchange, construction, finance industries, hospitality, and politics. Wherever they operate, they exhibit three defining characteristics globally.

One is that they do things their way, and by their way, I mean in ways that not only do not conform with the ways of most people and, more importantly, do not conform with known laws, but always that are beyond the comprehension and logic of most people. Yes, after all, it is their thing.

Another defining trait shared by these groups is loyalty. In pursuing their aims, loyalty serves as the key to progress, promotion, relevance, and reward. Dissent is regarded and punished as betrayal. In reality, what they refer to as loyalty is, in fact, devotion—an unconditional allegiance to the leader. In this context, the best a member can hope for is to be in the leader’s good graces, while the worst is to fall out of favour. A soldier who enjoys the leader’s support can act freely, break any rule, and aspire to any role as long as it does not conflict with the leader’s interests, whereas those not in the leader’s good graces find it impossible to do anything right.

The third defining element is the law of omertà. Omertà is a code of silence that is subscribed to and upheld by oath, as noted by one of the earliest Mafia researchers, Antonio Cutrera. Omertà silences individuals even in their own defence and even when the accused is innocent of the crimes for which they are charged. Etymological studies of the term “omertà” reveal that it derives from the Italian term for “humility”: umiltà. Yes, omertà reinforces the devotion termed loyalty.

But that is the mafia…

In our Lagos, we recently experienced 49 days of drama that captivated those willing to engage with such scenes. During this time, the Lagos State House of Assembly set several records. The House witnessed the election and resignation of its first female speaker, Mrs Mojisola Meranda; held three swearing-in ceremonies for two individuals, Messrs Obasa and Meranda, in the roles of speaker and deputy speaker; and members and staff sang, marched, cried, vowed, adjourned and then shook hands before returning to where it all began. Motion without movement…

In those 49 days, whilst members of the Lagos State House of Assembly and their leaders outside the house were doing their thing, many outside their circle were speculating and rooting. “The removal of Obasa cannot happen without the consent of the Jagaban”, some postulated, implying that he gave the order. “Can’t you say his arrogance to the governor?” others added. “Keeping the Governor and cabinet waiting for hours was what broke the camel’s back”, others added with the tone of who had evidence.

Then rumours began: Asiwaju was not consulted before Speaker Obasa’s removal. The GAC is convening, but it is divided. From the USA, Obasa returned to Lagos via Abuja to announce that he would resume his position as Speaker. The audience speculated and argued that Meranda would have to resign, and now, Obasa, too, might have to resign. “This is not true; it is true”, the audience speculated and argued over each scoop of rumour.

Enter the fans. Some were simply delighted to welcome the first female speaker in Lagos and thrilled to hear her boldly declare that she would stand firm on the mandate entrusted to her by her fellow house members. The Meranda Fans Club was growing rapidly. Naively, I attempted to ask what these fans knew about their newly discovered heroine and her ability to stand her ground, but their passion rendered them presumptuous, and they dismissed my inquiries. What matters is that she is now the speaker and intends to stay. Furthermore, “she is an authentic indigenous Lagos woman” became an additional point emphasised by the fans who value lineage.

In the voice of Femi Kuti, “I sorry sorry o, I sorry for my people…” The feud and drama we were treated to in the Lagos State Assembly and surrounding areas of power were not about the lives and affairs of we the people, our roads, the education of our children, or the cost of living and doing business in Lagos. It was just their thing, a battle for power among the powerful and the powermongers. Some say we don’t know how this will end yet, maybe, but I think I do…

For now, the leadership questions some of us asked with an open mind from the first day of the 49 days of Meranda remain unanswered. Who gave the order to remove Obasa? Did the person or persons who hatched the plan to remove Obasa think it through thoroughly? Did the House Members who removed Obasa act independently, or at least in knowledge and conscience? How impactful is the Lagos State House of Assembly to the lives of tax-paying, productive residents of Lagos? How do we rate the leadership of the APC and other political parties in Lagos?

The 49 days of Meranda happened in Lagos, but drama is brewing in other states like Rivers, Osun, and Kaduna. Citizens and consumers need to start asking when a feud is about us, the people and when it is just their thing.

Join me on Twitter to continue this conversation @anthonykila

Anthony Kila is an Institute Director at CIAPS.