The Lagos State House of Assembly has rejected a move by the state’s executive arm to delay the implementation of the newly signed 2025 Local Government Administration Law until August, insisting that the law must take immediate effect as earlier passed.
At a heated plenary session on Tuesday, Speaker Mudashiru Obasa read a letter from Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, delivered through Solicitor-General Ahmed Oyenuga, seeking to postpone the law's commencement. The law, which was signed by the governor on May 7, outlines specific provisions on tenure, succession, and disqualification for local council leadership.
The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) has already fixed the local government elections for July 12, adding urgency to the legal framework’s enforcement.
Obasa, while ruling on the matter, stated that executive-legislative disagreements like this present opportunities to test the resilience and authority of the law. He emphasized the need for full transparency and summoned Oyenuga, Attorney-General Lawal Pedro, and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bolaji Robert, to appear before the House for explanations. The Director of Litigation at the Ministry of Justice was also included in the summons.
Lawmakers voiced strong opposition to the proposed delay.
Sani Okanlawon (Kosofe I) declared that no executive order could override an act of the legislature, while Dipo Ajomale (Oshodi II) questioned both the timing and the rationale behind the governor’s request. Sa’ad Olumoh further affirmed that legislative authority must not be undermined, urging the executive to respect the separation of powers.
In a separate development, the Assembly addressed the ongoing leadership crisis in Oto Awori LCDA, triggered by the recent death of Council Chairman Musbau Ashafa. Speaker Obasa revealed that Vice Chairman Kareem Abiodun declined to assume the position of acting chairman, citing his interest in contesting the upcoming polls.
Obasa issued a stern directive: Abiodun must either resign to pursue his ambition or assume the leadership role as mandated by law. He clarified that under the amended law, a vice chairman who steps in following a chairman’s death is regarded as having served a full term.
Warning against any financial mismanagement during this transition, Obasa noted that mishandling public funds could jeopardize Abiodun’s political aspirations.
The House also summoned the Council Manager, Treasurer, and Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission in Oto Awori for a detailed briefing on the matter.
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