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LCDAs Have Come To Stay, Lagos Speaker says

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Domestic Violence: Lagos Assembly Urges Enlightenment Units In Schools

LCDAs Have Come To Stay, Lagos Speaker says

…as Assembly holds public hearing on proposed local govt law

 

 

The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, has said there are no plans to scrap the 37 Local Government Development Areas (LCDAs) of the state.

Dr. Obasa, represented by Deputy Speaker Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, said this at a second public hearing on the bill to amend the Local Government Administration law of the state on Thursday.

“We are gathered here to consider and reflect on a bill that seeks to further enhance how our third tier of government should be administered.

“The LCDAs have come to stay and they would remain so by the special grace of God. Nobody is killing the LCDAs. Instead, we have come to say here is the Supreme Court judgement; how do we go about it? I know we all have the interest of this state at heart.

“Did we follow the right part in creating the LCDAs? The answer is ‘yes’. So at this point, it is a call for every Lagosian to rise up and protect the LCDAs by reaching out to all our representatives at the national level.

“Our representatives and senators should lobby their colleagues there. We will continue to do our part and we are doing it to ensure that the 37 LCDAs are listed in the constitution,” the Speaker said.

He recalled that just about two weeks ago, people were also gathered to deliberate on the electoral bill for the Local government election which he said is the first right step before the House could go into how the local governments should function.

“This Bill has passed the preliminary stages and the House is hereby subjecting it to public appraisal in our transparent convention. At this stage, we subject the bill to public assessment, gathering public observations and thoughts to reflect on them in the next stage of the bill.

“The bill is seeking to consolidate all laws on local government administration. The law, when passed, will allow the local governments function optimally with strict adherence to the rule of law and separation of powers,” he added.

The Speaker stressed that the bill also made mention of four-year tenure for the elective offices in the local government, which, according to him, has finally removed the ambiguity of the past as regards tenure of these elective officers.

The bill, he said, has elaborated all that needs to be done for an effective administration of the local governments including declaration of assets, nomination of a chairman, removal of a chairman or vice chairman, discharge of functions of the chairman, local government area supervisors appointees, executive powers of the local government, street naming and many more.

Section 4(3) of the Bill states: “The 20 local governments shall have designated local council Development Areas as listed in the First Schedule to this law for effective and efficient local government administration in the State.

Section 4(1) of the Bill further states: “There shall be 37 Local Council Development Areas in the State with the names specified in Schedule II of the Creation of local government (Amendments) of 2004.”

Speaking after an overview by Hon. Noheem Adams, Majority Leader of the House, Lagos-based lawyer, Muiz Banire (SAN) identified some clauses in the Bill that needed further inputs.

Banire argued: “The import of the Supreme Court judgement is simple. The State Governor does not have the power over council chairmen, if any council chairman misbehaves, it is the councillors that can decide on what to do.”

He also advised that section 38 of the Bill should be expunged, noting “It is no longer legal for the Ministry of Local Government to be issuing guidelines for local governments.”

However, Banire was countered by former Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Kolawole Taiwo, who said: “The constitution gives power to the State House of Assembly to create local government, the law has been tested, our LCDAs have been in existence but only not listed.

“Nobody can say the law is not in existence, I was the Majority Leader as at then. You are saying the House should not have the power to do some things again; we need to be very careful. We know some governors are making nonsense of the local governments but Lagos is an exemption.”

Corroborating the position of Taiwo, another former Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Funmilayo Tejuoso said: “When you have a child that does not have a name, does it mean that the child is dead? It simply means that the LCDAs are still existing. The Supreme Court has recognised them, we are only waiting for the constitution to reflect the LCDAs.”

She therefore stated that the LCDAs should continue to exist, noting “We shouldn’t throw away the baby with the bath water.”

Also speaking, Imam Ibrahim Tijani from Itire-Ikate said he supported the continued existence of the LCDAs.

A stakeholder, Ajose Agbejoye, suggested that elections into local government councils should start six months before the expiration of the four-year term of a current administration so that electoral issues would have been settled before the swearing-in of a new chairman.

President of Greater Lagos Initiative, Adeniyi Olutimehin also appealed to the House to allow the LCDAs to continue to function irrespective of whatever amendments it makes to the Bill.

Eromosele Ebhomele
Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

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Aiyedatiwa is in panic mode, says PDP

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Aiyedatiwa is in panic mode, says PDP

Aiyedatiwa is in panic mode, says PDP

 

Ahead of the November 16 governorship election in Ondo state, the main opposition People’s Democratic Party, PDP, has said that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the candidate of the All Progressive Congress, APC, was in panic over losing the election.

 

However, the APC has dismissed the PDP claim as hogwash, insisting that the governor would win the poll in a landslide.

 

PDP Publicity Secretary, Hon Kennedy Peretei, said: “As the Ondo election approaches the Zero Hour, those who said the election was a walk-over for them have been unable to have sound sleep, slipping into a ‘panic mode.’ A good number of them, who initially proclaimed that they are ‘Lucky’ are singing a new song, based on the realities they encountered on the field.

“The comfort of their offices from where they proclaimed being ‘Lucky’ are the exact opposite of the streets in which hunger and lack, walk in all four legs.

“The electorate sent the signal wherever the campaign train of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa visited that there is pain in the land, orchestrated by the All Progressives Congress, Aiyedatiwa’s party. In their confusion, the National Chairman of APC, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, in one breath, said the Edo ‘Template’ will be applied in Ondo State. In another, he said, the APC does not need to rig the Ondo election to win.

“This was the first sign that the APC national leadership has come to terms with the reality that nobody can rig the November 16 election, and they are not as lucky as they hitherto assumed.

“Having failed to convince the people why they should trust him with their mandate, some panicky measures were taken.

“Because they were not all well thought out, they all fell flat on their backs. The 416 political appointees, carefully selected from the 203 Electoral Wards were shocked to discover that, for October, 2024, they received no salary alert.

“What is the guarantee that, after losing the election in November, they will be paid? Are these not the same people shouting they are ‘Lucky’? They should know better by now.

 

 

“When the alarm that the N73,000 minimum wage was announced at a campaign rally was another promise that would never be met, some people dismissed it. Those workers who went to endorse the governor for another term should ask themselves again if indeed, they have been lucky with this Governor.

 

“After spending 10 months in the saddle, it is his programmes and projects that should have done the campaigns for Governor Aiyedatiwa. Instead, he is recruiting propagandists to lie to Ondo State people, as if we are blind and deaf.

 

“Out of fear of losing the election, the Commandant of Amotekun Corps, Adetunji Adeleye was drafted to head a 25-member security committee of the campaigns. Instead of apologizing to the people, the Spokesman of the Aiyedatiwa Campaign denied that such was ever proposed. How can anybody trust people who lie so shamelessly in this manner? Those who think Ondo State is lucky with this kind of administration should pinch themselves to be sure that they are not dreaming.

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Breaking: Suspended Lagos LG Chairman Writes Assembly, Seeks Lawmakers’ Forgiveness

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Domestic Violence: Lagos Assembly Urges Enlightenment Units In Schools

Breaking: Suspended Lagos LG Chairman Writes Assembly, Seeks Lawmakers’ Forgiveness

 

Suspended chairman of the Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, Jelili Sulaimon, has pleaded with the state Assembly men for forgiveness, nearly a month after he was axed for non-compliance, defiance and unyielding attitude to the legislative House.

In a ‘Letter of Apology’ personally signed by the embattled chairman, addressed to Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and read on the floor of the House on Tuesday, Jelili agreed that his actions may have caused disrespect to the House.

Breaking: Suspended Lagos LG Chairman Writes Assembly, Seeks Lawmakers' Forgiveness

While expressing regret, he promised to henceforth show maximum respect to the House and work closely with the legislators.

The suspended chairman also informed the House, through a letter by his lawyers, that he had withdrawn the suit he filed against the Assembly before a Federal High Court, Abuja.

“I am writing to express my most sincere and heartfelt apology for any actions or inactions, misrepresentation or conduct on my part that may have contributed to the recent misunderstanding between myself and the esteemed Lagos State House of Assembly under your leadership.

“Upon reflection, I realised that my conduct and certain decisions I made might have been perceived as disrespectful or contrary to the standard of leadership and the mutual respect that defines the relationship between the Assembly and the local government leadership.

“This was never my intention. I deeply regret any discomfort or displeasure this may have caused your personality as well as the entire House.

“I have always held the Lagos State House of Assembly and your esteemed office in particular, in the highest regard.

“Any action or miscommunication that may have suggested otherwise was an unfortunate oversight on my part. I am committed to fostering a more constructive and respectful relationship going forward.

“Once again, I sincerely apologise for any inconveniences caused by my actions or inactions,” the letter read as Jelili promised to work closely with the House henceforth.

The House is yet to debate the letter.

Eromosele Ebhomele
Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

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Speaker Obasa Congratulates Oba Akiolu At 81

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Speaker Obasa Congratulates Oba Akiolu At 81

– commends monarch’s commitment to public service

 

The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, has congratulated His Majesty, Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos as he marks his 81st birthday on Tuesday.

In a statement by his media office, Speaker Obasa, the Baa’sofin of Lagos, said at 81, the revered monarch remains committed to excellent community and public service with results that keep promoting the growth and progress of Lagos.

Dr. Obasa extolled the Eleko’s virtues, said Oba Akiolu, Permanent Chairman of the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs, has constantly brought his wisdom to bear in the advancement of the traditional institution as well as the running of the state.

“Oba Akiolu remains a strong believer in the Yoruba tradition, a faithful custodian of culture and a traditional ruler whose knowledge has continued to help Lagos grow in leaps and bounds.

“His reign has mostly brought peace to Lagos just as the monarch has constantly sustained our traditional institution in the state.

“It is exciting to say that Eleko has always brought honour to the throne of his ancestors. His reign has been characterised by unwavering dedication and compassion for Lagosians.

“His guidance, advice and love for his subjects cannot be over-emphasised; his roles in our lives make him a worthy father. As the monarch, he remains our rallying point.

“A source of inspiration, Eleko’s leadership has actuated us to greater heights while bringing value to the throne and strengthening the bond that exists among traditional rulers in the state.

“On behalf of my family, colleagues, management and staff of the Lagos State House of Assembly, I celebrate you on this occasion of your 81st birthday and pray that your reign continues to be a blessing for our dear State and beyond,” the statement released by the Speaker’s Chief Press Secretary, Eromosele Ebhomele, said.

Eromosele Ebhomele
Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

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