UMRA Petitions Sanwo-Olu Over Council Boss’ Interference In Estate Electoral Process

The legitimate leadership and residents of Unilag Magodo Residents Association (UMRA) have petitioned Lagos State governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, over the interference of the Chairman of Ikosi-their Local Council Development Area chairman, Mrs Samiat Bada, in the electoral process of the estate.

Addressing a press conference on Monday in the estate, the chairman of UNILAG Magodo Residents Association (UMRA), Mr Oluwole Sowole, condemned what he called the unconstitutional and illegal meeting convened on March 1st, 2025, at the instance of the LCDA chairman, Mrs Samiat Bada in the estate.

According to him, the meeting was held in blatant disregard of the UMRA Estate Constitution, which stipulates that the estate’s monthly general meeting be held on the last Saturday of every month.

Sowole said, “The UMRA February general meeting had already been duly held, making this unsanctioned gathering an unacceptable act of interference in the internal affairs of an association.

‘’Furthermore, Mrs. Bada’s open bias and undue interference in our electoral process are deeply concerning. Petitions had been duly written to the LASG, but she boasts that she is untouchable. She had pretended to be a Mediator, which mediation had been formally rejected by one of the parties. However, she still came, met with one side, proceeded to usurp the judiciary’s function and proclaimed that the duly conducted and concluded election of 30th November 2024—held strictly per the UMRA Constitution—is “null and void”.

“Such a statement is not only misleading but an affront to the democratic will of the majority of residents, made up of about 703 Households, with her meeting with by far less than 10 per cent.

Even more appalling is her attempt to impose as interim chairman an individual disqualified for flouting electoral rules and regulations when this illegitimate pronouncement caused opprobrium.

‘’She modified and went ahead in dicta to handpick five individuals—most if not all of whom were signatories to a January 7th petition against the legitimate election—to serve as “interim officers” and assist her in conducting another election at the end of March 2025,’’

Sowole noted that Mrs Bada had previously stated that elections in the estate could only be conducted in August of any term without a law or executive fiat to that effect. The glaring contradiction and shifting of goalposts exposed the arbitrariness of her actions and her apparent lack of regard for due process and the rule of law.

He submitted that the November 30th, 2024, election remains valid and binding, saying it fully complies with the UMRA Constitution.

In her reaction to the leadership crisis, Mrs Bada said she nullified the election that brought in the current executives because it was held outside August.

She said, “The set period for any CDA election is August as approved by the Governor; the council would not have been aware of the anomaly if not for the fracas and its escalation. And since the council is now aware, they cannot endorse the irregularities.”

Mrs Bada further said she did not approve any representation as the scheduled election was outside the provision of the CDA election policy.