Lagos bye-elections may hold soon as the Assembly urges Governor Sanwo-Olu to direct LASIEC to fill vacant councillorship seats across affected LGAs.
The Lagos State House of Assembly has intensified calls for the conduct of Lagos bye-elections to address lingering vacancies in several local government councils, warning that prolonged delays are denying communities effective grassroots representation.
The lawmakers made their position known during plenary on Thursday, following renewed concerns over vacant councillorship seats in Ibeju-Lekki, Mushin, and Somolu Local Government Areas.
The matter was introduced under a personal explanation by Hon. Akinsanya Nureni, who represents Mushin Constituency I.
According to Nureni, the deaths of sitting councillors in the affected councils have left entire wards without elected representatives, creating a vacuum in local legislative oversight and community advocacy.
He stressed that councils are closest to the people and that any gap in representation weakens democratic governance at the grassroots.
He appealed to the Assembly to formally intervene by urging Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to direct the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) to organise Lagos bye-elections without further delay.
Nureni noted that residents in the affected wards have continued to raise concerns about their exclusion from council deliberations and decision-making processes.
Supporting the call, Hon. Esho Kazeem of Mushin Constituency II confirmed that his constituency was also affected by the absence of a councillor following the death of an elected official.
He expressed concern that despite the passage of several months, no concrete steps had been taken to initiate a replacement election.
Kazeem warned that the continued delay in holding Lagos bye-elections could erode public confidence in the local government system and create administrative gaps, particularly in policy formulation, constituency engagement, and budgetary discussions at the council level.
Another lawmaker, Hon. Kehinde Joseph, urged the House to take decisive institutional action by formally writing to the Governor.
He proposed that the letter should clearly request a directive compelling LASIEC to activate the constitutional process required to fill the vacant seats.
Joseph also emphasized the human aspect of the issue, reminding lawmakers that the situation arose from tragic losses.
He proposed that the Assembly observe a minute of silence in honour of the deceased councillors and extend official condolence letters to their families as a mark of respect and solidarity.
In his ruling, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, aligned with the lawmakers’ submissions.
He described the absence of councillors in multiple wards as unhealthy for democratic governance and agreed that urgent steps were needed to restore full representation.
Obasa directed members of the House to observe a minute of silence in memory of the late councillors, as well as the late Oba of Badagry.
He further instructed the Clerk of the House, Mr. Onafeko Olalekan, to promptly transmit the Assembly’s resolution to Governor Sanwo-Olu for necessary action.
The vacant councillorship positions stem from the deaths of three officials who passed away shortly after assuming office in 2025.
Oluwakemi Rufai, Councillor representing Ward C in Ibeju-Lekki, died on August 13, 2025, barely 17 days after her inauguration. Zainab Shotayo, the Chief Whip and Councillor for Ward C3 in Odiolowo-Ojuwoye LCDA, passed away on August 18, 2025, just 22 days into her tenure.
Basirat Oluwakemi Mayabikan, Councillor for Ward F in Somolu, died on September 21, 2025, after serving for 56 days.
Lawmakers argued that beyond honouring the deceased, conducting Lagos bye-elections would restore legislative balance, ensure accountability, and allow affected communities to actively participate in local governance once again.
They also noted that timely elections would help councils function optimally, especially as local governments play a critical role in service delivery, community development, and conflict resolution at the neighbourhood level.
As pressure mounts on the executive arm, political observers believe the Assembly’s resolution could accelerate preparations by LASIEC, paving the way for fresh polls that will return democratic voices to the affected wards and reinforce confidence in Lagos State’s local government system.
Ireport247news
