By Bilesanmi Abayomi
Lagos State is on the brink of a political shake-up as chairmanship aspirants in the 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) review their ambitions following proposed amendments to the Local Government Administrative Law. The Lagos State House of Assembly has introduced changes that, if passed, will redefine the administrative landscape of local councils across the state.
The amendment, which has garnered widespread attention and is likely to undergo a public hearing, clarifies that the LCDAs will no longer be legally viable entities. Instead, the 20 constitutionally recognized Local Government Areas (LGAs) will be granted enhanced autonomy, with appointed heads overseeing former LCDA jurisdictions.
For over a decade, federal funds allocated to the 20 LGAs have been used to support LCDAs, funding their policies, projects, and programs despite the LCDAs’ lack of full legal recognition. This has allowed sitting LCDA chairmen to function without direct constitutional backing, leading to accusations of abuse of office, misappropriation, and reckless lifestyles by some.
Under the proposed amendments, the heads of LCDAs will now function as part of their parent LGAs, ending the LCDA’s semi-autonomous existence. Aspirants, including sitting LCDA chairmen, are now rethinking their strategies, with many shifting their focus to the constitutionally recognized LGAs.
Political observers have noted that individuals who have managed LCDAs for one or two terms may still be eligible to contest in upcoming LGA elections, as no law can be retroactively applied. This shift opens up new opportunities for aspirants across Kosofe and other parts of the state, sparking increased political activity as the legal framework takes shape.