Local Govt Reform: Remove Your Strong Grip on Lagos, Group Tells Tinubu, APC

Segun James

A group has told President Bola Tinubu and the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to respect the rule of law and to remove their strong grip on Lagos State.

The group, Lagos Concerned Citizens (LCC) said that the interference and directive of the APC in the state that the proposed local government reforms being undertaken by the Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA)  be stopped forthwith is unconstitutional.

In an open letter to the Speaker, Dr Mudashiru Obasa, signed by its chairman, Omoba Murphy Ajibila, LCC said that the APC, as a political party, has no right to give directives to the house, saying that by such action the party is giving the impression that the house is an appendage of the APC.

The group called on “President Bola Tinubu and the leadership of the APC to respect the rule of law, and to remove their metaphorical knee from the jugular of Lagos State. It is high time the Lagos State House of Assembly fulfills its constitutional duty by screening and forwarding the results to the Executive for the inauguration of Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC). This will enable the commission to begin preparations for the local government elections in earnest, in line with the Electoral Act 2022, and the relevant laws governing the democratic process.”

According to the LCC,  “as concerned citizens of Lagos, deeply troubled by recent developments in the governance of our beloved state. Specifically, we take issue with the refusal of the Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA) to screen and consider the names of members of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), which, regrettably, was directly influenced by the APC leadership under the aegis of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC).

“It is alarming and disheartening to learn that, in spite of the clear provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electoral Act 2022, which stipulate that the notice of election should be given at least 180 days before an election, the APC leadership in Lagos directed the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly to halt all further consideration of any matter related to the Local Government elections. The LAHA decision is said to stem from the fallout of the Supreme Court’s interpretation of the Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022, but it appears that both  LAHA, the Executive Arm and indeed, the leadership of APC have little regard for the constitutional and legal obligations our state is bound by.”

The group lamented that what is “most concerning is the reported letter issued by the State Chairman of the APC, to the Speaker of LAHA to disregard any commitment to uphold the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and all extant laws, which clearly mandates that electoral processes must be transparent and timely, specifically, that notice of elections should be given at least 180 days prior and in this case this should happen not later than 26th December, 2024 if the State Government is serious and LG election. After all, nature abhors vacuum and government is continuum, is it that the State government has a hidden agenda to rape democracy and its tenet broad daylight again?”

The letter stated that the recent intervention by the State Chairman of APC, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi to LAHA on the very day of a crucial public hearing on local government administration, raises serious concerns about the party’s dedication to democracy. “This letter effectively directed the House to stop all actions related to the proposed amendments, leaving us wondering how far the tentacles of political influence will reach. The justification provided, that the APC leadership needs to consult with the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on the way forward, is, in our view, an affront to the rule of law.

“While we respect the role of the President and his influence in shaping the future of our state, we must reiterate that the law is the law, and no individual no matter how influential should be above it. The Constitution of Nigeria is clear on the Electoral Act, and there is no room for delay tactics or political maneuvering when it comes to the preparation for the Local Government elections.”

“Lagos State is not a one-party state, and the APC leadership must come to terms with this fact. LASIEC, like the Lagos State House of Assembly, is an independent body, and should not be treated as a mere appendage of the ruling party. The citizens of Lagos deserve to live in a state where their voices matter, where their vote counts, and where they are not subject to the whims of any political party.

“Enough is enough. The people of Lagos have waited long enough. We demand that the APC leadership cease its interference in the electoral process, allow the Lagos State House of Assembly to carry out its duties, and let democracy thrive in our state.

“We call for the immediate screening and confirmation of LASIEC members, the inauguration of the Commission, and the commencement of preparations for the Local Government elections, as stipulated by law. Let us stand together as vigilant citizens, demanding transparency, rule of law, and effective governance. We deserve to have our voices heard and our rights honoured. The time to act is now for the future of Lagos State, where all citizens can thrive in a true democracy. Let the rule of law prevail. Let the will of the people be respected,” the letter concluded.