Sanwo-olu Enacts New Local Government Administration Law

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has enacted the Local Government Administration Law 2025, which will regulate the tenure, succession, and disqualification of Chairmen and Vice Chairmen across the 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) within the state.

This new legislation establishes a definitive legal framework for leadership succession in instances of death, resignation, or political defection. It clearly states that a Vice Chairman who ascends to the position of Chairman under any of these circumstances shall be regarded as having completed a full term, irrespective of the time served.

The law has already sparked significant inquiries regarding eligibility and legal adherence, especially in two LCDAs: Agbado-Oke Odo and Ikosi-Isheri, as the All Progressives Congress (APC) proceeds with its local government primaries.

In the Agbado-Oke Odo LCDA, the new law has been effectively enforced following the disqualification of a former Vice Chairman, who had previously stepped in to fulfill a Chairman’s term, in line with Section 28(4) of the law, which deems such succession as a complete term in office.

The current APC candidate and flag bearer in Ikosi-Isheri LCDA initially served as Vice Chairman, subsequently assumed the role of Chairman after the passing of the sitting Chairman, and later completed a full four-year term as an elected Chairman. Despite having effectively held the position across two terms, she has now been authorized to run for office again and was officially presented as the APC flag bearer during the party’s campaign flag-off event held yesterday at the Lagos APC State Secretariat.

Sanwo-Olu expresses concern over the delayed arrival of materials.

This situation has raised substantial legal and ethical issues, particularly among observers who are questioning the inconsistent enforcement of the law. They have pointed out that if the law was applied to disqualify a candidate in Agbado-Oke Odo, it should also be applicable in Ikosi-Isheri?

Section 28(4) of the law specifies that, “In instances where the Vice-Chairman or any individual assumes the role of Chairman due to the death or impeachment of the incumbent… such duration shall be regarded as a complete term for the individual assuming the position.”

According to this provision, the APC candidate in Ikosi-Isheri, who initially served as Vice Chairman for six years, fulfilled the remaining term of her deceased predecessor for an additional six years and subsequently completed a full term, should not be eligible to run for another term. Nevertheless, her candidacy continues, prompting concerns regarding adherence to due process, the integrity of the party, and the enforcement of legal standards.

In addition, Section 28(3) mandates that the Secretary of the Local Government must promptly inform the council of any relevant disqualification criteria. Neglecting this duty is deemed misconduct under the law, which further complicates matters if intentional oversight is established.

Furthermore, stakeholders have expressed that the inconsistency in enforcement between Agbado-Oke Odo and Ikosi-Isheri LCDAs poses a significant challenge to democratic governance and the rule of law in Lagos State. They contend that the integrity of local elections and public trust in grassroots democracy could be severely undermined if political convenience continues to take precedence over legal adherence.