By Bilesanmi Abayomi
The Ta’awun Political Forum, a Lagos-based civic group, has raised alarm over recent directives issued by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to newly inaugurated chairmen across Lagos State’s 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), regarding the appointment of their cabinet members.
Speaking on behalf of the forum, President Taiwo Lasisi questioned whether the state government was respecting the constitutional autonomy of local councils, especially in light of a recent landmark court ruling affirming their independence.
“Are we deceiving ourselves, or who is deceiving who?” Lasisi asked rhetorically, referencing the ongoing power struggle between state and federal authorities over the true autonomy of Nigeria’s third tier of government.
He noted that the federal government had taken legal steps to free local governments from what it described as undue control by state governments — a case it ultimately won in court. The ruling, Lasisi argued, was aimed at ensuring local governments can function independently and effectively, without interference from state governors.
“The federal government raised the issue of autonomy to promote efficient and effective leadership at the local level. The court ruled in favor of this autonomy to remove any future ambiguity between state and local governments,” he said.
However, according to Lasisi, the governor’s involvement in dictating the timing and process of cabinet appointments for council chairmen runs counter to the spirit of that judgment.
“If the court ruling has taken effect, why are council chairmen still being instructed on how, who, and when to appoint their cabinet members?” he queried.
The Ta’awun Forum reaffirmed its commitment to grassroots democracy and urged all political stakeholders to respect the rule of law by allowing elected local government officials to exercise their constitutional mandate without state interference.
“Democracy remains the best form of government — but only when it’s allowed to function without compromise,” Lasisi concluded.