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Lagos Lawmakers Call For Financial Autonomy For Local Government Legislative Arm

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Lagos Lawmakers Call For Financial Autonomy For Local Government Legislative Arm

Lagos Lawmakers Call For Financial Autonomy For Local Government Legislative Arm

 

Members of the Lagos State Assembly have called for financial autonomy for the legislative arms of the Local Governments (LGs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) throughout the state.

 

The call was made at the Plenary session on Tuesday, September 16, presided over by the Speaker, Rt Hon Mudashiru Obasa.

 

The motion, titled “Call for Financial Independence for the Legislative Arms of Local Government Areas and LCDAs in Lagos,” was introduced by Hon. Sanni Babatunde, the Chairman of the Committee on Local Government Administration, Chieftaincy Affairs, and Rural Development.

 

Hon. Babatunde underscored that the legislative arm at the local level plays a crucial role in Nigeria’s democratic framework, bearing constitutional responsibilities for law-making, oversight, and constituency representation.

 

Contributing to the discussion, Hon. Obafemi Saheed highlighted that the 1999 Constitution emphasizes the separation of powers, asserting that granting autonomy at the local level would enhance representation, oversight, and independence, aligning it with practices at the state and federal levels. He argued that such measures would foster good governance at the grassroots.

 

Hon. Temitope Adewale, OON, who supported the motion, stressed that councilors perform functions comparable to those of state legislators. He expressed concern that many council leaders often face undue influence from local government chairpersons due to their financial reliance. He proposed that training for local government legislative leaders should involve cooperation between the Ministry of Local Government and the Lagos State House of Assembly.

 

Further insights were shared by Hon. Bonu Solomon, who commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing financial autonomy to local governments through direct allocations from the federation account, which has reportedly improved their operational efficiency. He insisted that similar financial independence should also be granted to local legislative bodies.

 

Hon. Aro Moshood added that empowering local government legislatures is essential for effective governance, suggesting that lawmakers should actively observe local legislative sessions to understand the issues faced by councilors without autonomy.

 

The lawmakers decided to urge Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to instruct the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs, and Rural Development to formulate a strategy for the independent financing of Legislative Councils within Lagos State.

 

Speaker Obasa echoed the importance of financial independence for councilors to effectively perform their oversight roles. He noted the increased allocations to local governments and emphasized the need to empower grassroots legislatures to maintain proper checks and balances for the benefit of the citizens.

 

The House resolved to instruct the Commissioner of the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs, and Rural Development to prioritize ongoing training and capacity-building programs for councilors in financial management, budgeting, and legislative practices. They also urged the Ministry to pursue the enactment of a self-accounting law that would secure financial autonomy for the legislative arms in all local governments and LCDAs.

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Obasa Warns Dissidents as Agege Affirms Hamzat as APC governorship candidate

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Obasa Warns Dissidents as Agege Affirms Hamzat as APC governorship candidate

Obasa Warns Dissidents as Agege Affirms Hamzat as APC governorship candidate

 

Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, has issued a strong warning to dissidents within the All Progressives Congress, APC, that are spreading false reports about the House of Assembly primaries held Wednesday, May 20 across all the wards in the local government.

 

Supervising officers from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the immediate past Executive Chairman of Agege Local Government Area, High Chief Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi, and Barrister. Azeez Oladapo Ninalowo as winners of Agege Constituencies I and II respectively. Egunjobi polled 10, 126 votes while Ninalowo scored 12, 455 votes. Both candidates had earlier emerged as consensus aspirants during a caucus meeting of the party presided over by Speaker Obasa last Tuesday.

 

Obasa spoke at the Agege Stadium earlier today, Thursday, May 21, as the APC faithful and stakeholders converged in their thousands to affirm incumbent deputy governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, as the consensus candidate of the party in the 2027 governorship election.

 

Speaking on the outcome of the primaries, Obasa declared: “We’ve done everything according to the dictates of the party. Dr Obafemi Kadiri Hamzat is our governorship candidate. Senator Idiat Adebule is our candidate in the Lagos West Senatorial District, and Mudashiru Obasa is the candidate for Agege Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. Collectively, we have decided and we are standing by the decision of our members.”

 

He commended INEC and security agencies “for helping us to have a free, fair, and transparent exercise devoid of violence and disorderliness.” The Speaker also praised party members for their loyalty and steadfastness, stating: “Agege is always here for the party. We are always present. When you are a member of a party, you should always participate in all its activities. Why will anyone who isn’t here claim to be part of us?

 

“You can’t be absent from all primaries and still claim that you are with us. We have conducted House of Representatives, Senate, House of Assembly, and Governorship primaries, yet some disgruntled party members have consistently stayed away. It is not possible. They are not part of us.”

 

Further, Obasa said: “We should be mindful of the people we send to represent us in any position. If they disregard us, we will wait until their tenure expires and remove them. The beauty of any political structure is continuity. Agege remains a shining example of a well-structured political organisation at the local government level.

 

“Nothing was done by subterfuge; everything was done in the open. INEC, DSS, Police, the media, and party leaders were all present. There’s nothing to fear. If anybody is initiating fake reports, let them continue. Anybody who has a problem should go and challenge the result in court. After the general election, maybe they will wake up,” he added.

 

With Hamzat’s candidacy sealed and Obasa drawing a hard line against internal dissent, Agege has sent a clear message: the APC’s fortress stands on loyalty and discipline, and those unwilling to march in step will be left behind as the party advances toward 2027.

 

Obasa Warns Dissidents as Agege Affirms Hamzat as APC governorship candidate

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State deserves commendation for the peaceful, transparent, and highly successful conduct of its primary elections across the various elective positions

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State deserves commendation for the peaceful, transparent, and highly successful conduct of its primary elections across the various elective positions, 

……ranging from the State House of Assembly to the House of Representatives and the Senate.

 

The victories recorded so far are not just individual triumphs, but collective victories for the party, democracy, and the good people of Edo State. The process has once again demonstrated the maturity, strength, and internal democratic values of our great party.

 

Special appreciation must also go to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo whose wisdom, leadership, fairness, and large-heartedness ensured the conduct of rancour-free primaries that have left party members satisfied and proud of the APC family.

 

As we look forward with great optimism to the presidential primary tomorrow, we remain confident that the same spirit of unity, peace, and brotherhood will prevail.

 

Congratulations to all the winners. As leaders entrusted with the confidence of the party, we urge them to be magnanimous in victory, extend hands of fellowship to other contestants, and work together in the overall interest of the APC and the progress of Edo State.

 

Together, we shall continue to build a stronger, united, and victorious party.

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Governor Dauda Lawal Emerges APC Consensus Governorship Candidate for Zamfara 2027 Election

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Governor Dauda Lawal Emerges APC Consensus Governorship Candidate for Zamfara 2027 Election

 

Governor Dauda Lawal Ph.d has officially emerged as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 election in Zamfara State, following a consensus arrangement adopted by the party for its primaries.

 

The governor secured the ticket after party members and supporters gathered across various wards to endorse him as the APC’s flagbearer for the forthcoming election. The consensus model, which allowed party stakeholders to unite behind a single candidate, was embraced as a strategy to avoid a contentious primary and strengthen internal cohesion ahead of the 2027 polls.

 

Speaking with journalists shortly after the exercise, Governor Lawal expressed profound gratitude to party members for the confidence reposed in him. He reaffirmed his commitment to the people of Zamfara, pledging to consolidate ongoing developmental projects aimed at improving the lives of residents across the state.

 

“I am deeply honored by the trust and support of our party faithful,” Lawal said. “We will not relent in our efforts to deliver meaningful development, enhance security, and create opportunities for all citizens of Zamfara State.”

 

His emergence underscores the party’s push to build continuity and strong leadership in the northwest region.

 

Political analysts note that the adoption of consensus candidate signals the APC’s preference for unity and reduced internal friction as the party prepares for the next electoral cycle.

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