By Bilesanmi Abayomi
The Coalition of Chairmanship Aspirants in Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area (LCDA) has applauded the Lagos State House of Assembly for its role in the passage of the newly assented Local Government Administration Law, while calling on the All Progressives Congress (APC) to ensure fairness and inclusion in the party’s internal processes.
Speaking during a visit to the Lagos State Secretariat in Alausa, the group’s spokesperson, Omoba Adeyemi Oyediran, commended the 40-member Assembly under the leadership of Speaker Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa for their legislative strides.
“We commend the House for its work on the Local Government Administration Law and thank you for pushing for its assent. We are committed party members and appreciate the leadership structure provided by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and the APC,” Oyediran said.
However, the coalition also expressed dissatisfaction over their exclusion in the aftermath of the recent APC primaries for the upcoming July 12, 2025 local council elections. Oyediran noted that despite directives from the party leadership to reconcile with aggrieved aspirants, no efforts had been made to reach them.
“A large number of us feel ignored. After the primaries, the party at the state level directed that aggrieved aspirants should be contacted, but none of us received any call. We are not hired protesters — we are grassroots members. The law has spoken. We plead that the right thing be done in the interest of the masses,” he appealed.
Despite pressure to defect, Oyediran reaffirmed the group’s loyalty to the APC, insisting their call was not for confrontation but for justice and proper implementation of the new law.
In response, Speaker Obasa emphasized that the Assembly acted in accordance with its constitutional duty and not in service of any political interest.
“The law we passed was not for APC or PDP. It is for the state. We fulfilled our legislative duty, and the Governor has done his part by assenting to it. Implementation lies with another arm of government,” he explained.
He also clarified that the law was drafted and passed prior to the APC primaries, dismissing claims that it targeted specific individuals or groups.
“We did not make this law because of anybody’s agitation. It is part of our responsibility as lawmakers,” he stated.
Obasa encouraged the delegation to direct future commendations to the entire Assembly, rather than his office alone.
“It’s not about Obasa. If you really wanted to appreciate the lawmakers, you should have come to the House chamber where all members could hear you,” he said.
Reiterating the importance of unity within the party, the Speaker assured the aspirants that their grievances would be communicated to the appropriate leadership levels.
“Since you mentioned respected leaders like Asiwaju and the Governor, rest assured that your issues will be looked into. Let us work together in unity and avoid any actions that could lead to disunity or defections,” Obasa concluded.
The development comes amid heightened political activities across Lagos State ahead of the 2025 council polls, with internal party reconciliation efforts expected to shape the final build-up to the elections.