The Lagos State Labour Party (LP) chapter has raised concern about the state’s upcoming local government elections, which are scheduled to take place in 20 local government areas and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAS).
Last Friday, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu swore in the chairman and members of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) at the Banquet Hall of the Governor’s Office in Alausa, Ikeja.
Mrs. Olubunmi Odesanya, LP’s spokesperson, underlined her party’s worry in a brief statement made available to The Nigerian Tribune.
Odesanya remembered the Supreme Court verdict on the autonomy of 774 local governments in the country and the proclamation made by the Lagos State House Assembly towards the end of last year when it passed a bill establishing the 20 LG’s and converting the LCDEAS to area offices.
She urged the ruling party and its leaders to allow the LASIEC to conduct elections in accordance with the constitution. “The State Assembly passed a bill late towards the end of 2024, establishing the 20 LGs and converting the LCDAs to area offices,” she pointed out.
Odesanya recounted that President Bola Tinubu established the 37 LCDAs while serving as governor of Lagos State, sparking a long-running feud with then-President Olusegun Obasanjo, who opposed the creation. “You will recall that the LCDAs were established by the current president while he was governor of the state.
Following the establishment of these LCDAs, current President Bola Tinubu engaged in a continuous struggle with then-President Olusegun Obasanjo, who opposed the creation of the 37 LCDAs. “Will LASIEC or the APC decide where elections will be held?” she inquired.
Odesanya promised that the LP will not let the ruling party continue in what she called its disregard for the law, claiming that the opposition party “shall apply the necessary civil and peaceful approach to prevent there intention from fruition.