A civil society organization, The Lagos People’s Assembly, has staged a protest at the Lagos State House of Assembly, opposing the proposed scrapping of 37 Local Council Development Areas.
The group’s co-convener, Kola Abe, urged lawmakers not to entertain the idea, emphasizing its detrimental impact on the state’s development.
Abe highlighted the significance of President Bola Tinubu’s legacy in creating local governments, stressing that no individual or group should undermine this achievement, according to ThisDay.
He noted that the Supreme Court has granted autonomy to local governments, and the House should respect this decision.
Lukman Olumoh, Chairman of the House Committee on Economic Planning and Budget, responded to the protesters, assuring that the Assembly would not act against the will of the people. Olumoh emphasized the House’s commitment to working within the constitution and ensuring Lagos State’s proper management.
The proposed bill seeks to override the autonomy granted to local governments by the Supreme Court, sparking concerns among civil society groups. The Lagos People’s Assembly fears that merging the LCDAs and reducing them to 20 would hinder the state’s development.
The Assembly’s assurance suggests a willingness to balance the Supreme Court’s judgment with the state’s management needs. The outcome of this development will significantly impact Lagos State’s governance structure and grassroots administration.
The Lagos State House of Assembly has faced increasing pressure from civil society groups to uphold the principles of local government autonomy. As the debate unfolds, the fate of the 37 LCDAs remains uncertain, sparking anxiety among stakeholders.
Abe said: “We want to sound a note of warning to the Lagos State House of Assembly not to take over the role of councillors by suspending a local government chairman.
“The struggle for local government creation in Lagos state started 21 years ago. You will recall that our pathfinder, President Bola Tinubu, started this struggle for more local government.
“We also heard that the Lagos Assembly is planning to merge the LCDAs and reduce everything to 20. If God has given our leader an initiative to do this years ago, why is Lagos Assembly trying to destroy the legacy of our leader?
“We will not allow that to happen. We’re also surprised that the House is taking over the role of councillors when the Supreme Court has given them autonomy. ”
Olumoh said: “We will not go against the electorate who have brought us here. Under the leadership of Obasa, we have always worked in line with the constitution.
“We will not do anything outside the law. We can assure you that we will not go outside the law to do anything that would be against the wishes of Lagosians and Nigerians in general. That is an assurance from the leadership of the House.
“And I can assure you that what you have come with is something that is on the front burner in the state, most especially our Lagos and Nigeria in general.
“So nobody will do anything to go against the law. We are trying to put a face to the Supreme Court’s judgement so that Lagos State is properly managed.
“We have seen the achievement recorded in Lagos with the LCDAs and the 20 local governments. Nobody is going to bring us back and we will always move forward.”
