By Bilesanmi Abayomi
Lagos Assembly Opposes Sanwo-Olu’s Attempt to Delay LG Law Implementation, Summons Top Officials
The Lagos State House of Assembly has expressed strong opposition to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s proposed delay in implementing the newly amended Local Government Administration Law 2025, insisting that the legislation must take immediate effect as originally intended.
The controversy was sparked by a letter from the Solicitor-General of Lagos State, Mr. Ahmed Oyenuga, conveying the governor’s preference for the law to take effect in August 2025, despite the governor having signed it into law on May 7.
In response, the Assembly summoned Mr. Oyenuga; the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro; the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Mr. Bolaji Robert; and the Director of Litigation in the Ministry of Justice to appear before the House and justify the proposed delay.
Lawmakers took turns to criticise the move. Hon. Sani Okanlawon (Kosofe I) argued that no executive action could supersede a law validly passed and assented to. “This is a clear attempt to undermine the authority of the legislature,” he said.
Hon. Dipo Ajomale (Oshodi II) questioned the rationale for the delay, noting that the timing raised legal and political concerns given the fast-approaching July 12 local government elections. Hon. Sa’ad Olumoh also cautioned against what he described as executive overreach, reaffirming that statutory enactments remain supreme.
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, described the situation as a test of democratic resilience. “The essence of this engagement is to ensure transparency, clarity, and accountability. The concerned officials must appear before the House to explain this move,” he stated.
Oto Awori Council Leadership Crisis
In a related development, the Assembly is also probing a leadership crisis in Oto Awori LCDA following the death of the council’s chairman, Mr. Musbau Adekunle Ashafa.
According to a letter read by the Clerk of the House, Mr. Olalekan Onafeko, at Tuesday’s plenary, the council’s vice chairman, Kareem Abiodun, has declined to assume the role of acting chairman, citing his intention to contest the July 12 local council elections.
Speaker Obasa, however, insisted that Abiodun must either resign to pursue his political ambition or fulfill his constitutional responsibility by stepping in as acting chairman. He noted that under the amended Local Government Administration Law 2025, any vice chairman who assumes office due to death or removal of a chairman is deemed to have served a full term.
Obasa also warned Abiodun to tread cautiously regarding the council’s financial matters, stating, “If you eventually become chairman, whatever you do now will come back to you. There must be transparency.”
The Assembly subsequently summoned the council manager, council treasurer, and the chairman of the Local Government Service Commission in Oto Awori to provide further clarification on the leadership vacuum and governance at the LCDA.
The twin developments underscore mounting tensions between the executive and legislative arms of government in Lagos as political stakeholders navigate the implications of the new local government law ahead of the crucial July 12 elections.
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