Lagos State House of Assembly has summoned the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro; the Commissioner for Local Government, Mr. Bolaji Robert and other state government officials to appear and explain the rationale behind the proposed postponement of the implementation of the recently amended Local Government Administration Law to August 2025 as passed by the Lawmakers.
A letter conveying the governor’s position, signed by the state solicitor-general, Mr. Ahmed Oyenuga, triggered the Assembly’s reaction.
Hon. Sani Okanlawon, representing Kosofe I, asserted that no executive order could override an existing statutory law. In contrast, Hon. Dipo Ajomale, representing Oshodi II, questioned the timing and necessity of the proposed delay, since the governor had already signed the law on May 7, 2025.
Hon. Sa’ad Olumoh also stressed the supremacy of legislative enactments over executive directives. The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa remarked that such executive-legislative frictions are opportunities to test the resilience and clarity of enacted laws. He emphasised the importance of the summoned officials appearing before the House to provide transparency.
In a related development, the Assembly has summoned key officials from the Oto Awori Local Council Development Area over a leadership crisis following the death of the council’s substantive chairman, Mr. Musbau Adekunle Ashafa.
According to a letter read by Clerk of the House, Mr. Olalekan Onafeko, at Tuesday’s plenary, the council’s vice chairman, Kareem Abiodun, declined to step in as acting chairman, citing his interest in contesting the upcoming local government elections scheduled for July 12, 2025.
Reacting to the situation, Speaker Obasa declared that Abiodun must either resign to pursue his political ambition or fulfil his constitutional duty by stepping into the leadership role.
He noted that under the amended Local Government Administration Law of 2025, any vice chairman who assumes the office due to the chairman’s death or removal is deemed to have served a full term.
Obasa further warned Abiodun to exercise caution in handling council resources, stressing that any financial missteps could haunt him if he is elected chairman.
As a result, the Assembly has summoned the council manager, treasurer, and the chairman of the Local Government Service Commission of Oto Awori to appear before the House for further clarification.
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