By Bilesanmi Abayomi
Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Presidential Legal Counsel, Hon. Babatunde Ogala, SAN, OFR, has affirmed that Hon. Samiat Bada, the incumbent Chairman of Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area (LCDA), remains legally qualified to contest in the forthcoming July 12 local government elections in Lagos State.
Ogala made this declaration on Saturday during a special edition of the Legalise discourse series, themed “Constitutional Balance: Local Government Autonomy and Presidential Powers in State Emergencies.” The Zoom session, organised by RenewedHope and monitored by KosofePost in the UK, brought together legal minds, political stakeholders, and participants from across Nigeria and the diaspora.
Responding to a direct question from Olalekan Obasan, a resident of Ikosi-Isheri LCDA, Ogala addressed concerns over the legality of the APC’s primary process, the implications of the recently signed Lagos State Local Government Administration Law, and claims that opposition parties might exploit perceived legal ambiguities to challenge Bada’s candidacy.
“Samiat Bada is eminently qualified to run under the law. Nothing disqualifies her from seeking re-election under the current legal framework,” Ogala stated.
He clarified that the newly enacted local government law, which limits the tenure of vice chairpersons who assume office following the death or impeachment of their principal, does not have a retroactive effect and therefore does not apply to Bada’s case.
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The legal opinion comes amidst heated political debate surrounding Bada’s ambition, with critics alleging her candidacy amounts to a controversial third term—an argument that has gained traction since the new law came into effect.
Ogala’s intervention is expected to influence ongoing legal and political discourse, particularly in Ikosi-Isheri LCDA where Bada’s re-election bid has stirred significant attention within and beyond Lagos State.
As the election date approaches, observers are watching how the APC navigates these legal and political developments in what is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched local contests in the state.