By Bilesanmi Abayomi
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kosofe, Oloye Seun Salami, has criticised Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, over his move to shift the commencement date of the 2025 Local Government Administration Law from May 7 to August 4, 2025.
The attempt, which many believe is aimed at shielding Ikosi-Isheri LCDA Chairperson and APC candidate, Princess Samiat Abolanle Bada, from disqualification ahead of the July 12 local council elections, has stirred intense debate across political and legal circles.
In a statement made available to KosofePost, shortly after the Lagos State House of Assembly plenary session and following legal clarifications by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, Salami argued that the governor’s letter proposing the date shift was “constitutionally barren, provocative, misleading, and lacking in merit.”
“We cannot change the goalpost in the middle of the game. The law was assented to before the commencement of the party primaries, which automatically disqualifies any candidate who falls within the category restricted by the law,” Salami stated.
He urged political actors to distinguish between sentiments and legal obligations, warning that any attempt to bend the law for political convenience would undermine democratic principles.
“Governor Sanwo-Olu, as an elected executive, is duty-bound to uphold the law. He must resist the influence of ‘social media and TV lawyers’ promoting interpretations that contradict the spirit and letter of a duly assented law,” Salami said.
He called on the Lagos State Attorney General to provide sound legal counsel and forestall a potential constitutional crisis, warning that failure to do so could plunge the state into legal and political disarray.
YOU MAY ALSO LOVE: Lagos Assembly Opposes Sanwo-Olu’s Attempt to Delay LG Law Implementation, Summons Top Officials
“When there is no law, it is authentically an invitation to anarchy,” Salami added.
“Political Game Pack”: Awofeso Weighs In
Joining the conversation, child advocate and public commentator, Omoba Awofeso Rasheed Ololade, pointed to deeper political dynamics at play between the state’s executive and legislative arms.
“We need to check which side of the divide the executive and legislative arms in Lagos State stand. It’s all a political game pack. We have beautiful legislation, but some unseen hands play double standards for reasons best known to them,” Awofeso said.
He referenced recent controversies in the House of Assembly as evidence of growing inconsistencies and political intrigue.
“We all witnessed the abracadabra of LAHA a few months ago and are watching the ongoing drama over the Local Government Administration Law. Observers are taking notes,” he added.
The Copy of 2025 Local Government Administration Law.
01SIGNED-LOCAL-GOVERNMENT-ADMINISTRATION-LAW-2025-1As the July 12 elections approach, the debate over the law’s commencement date continues to generate widespread interest. At stake are questions about legality, fairness, and whether Lagos State will uphold the rule of law in the face of political expediency.