A Civil Society Organisation, Lagos People’s Assembly, has warned the Lagos State House of Assembly not to merge the state’s Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), stating that it will resist any attempts by the House to do so. The group opposes the Local Government Administration Bill, 2024, currently under consideration, arguing that it contravenes the Supreme Court’s ruling granting autonomy to local governments.
During a protest at the State House of Assembly, Co-convener of the group, Mr. Kola Abe, urged the House not to undermine the legacy of President Bola Tinubu, who advocated for the autonomy of local governments in Lagos State. He emphasized that the struggle for local government creation in Lagos began 21 years ago and recalled Tinubu’s efforts in expanding local governance.
Abe expressed concern about reports that the Lagos Assembly plans to merge the LCDAs and reduce them to just 20, questioning why the Assembly would seek to dismantle the initiatives set forth by Tinubu. He declared, “We will not allow that to happen,” criticizing the House for assuming the role of councillors despite the Supreme Court granting them autonomy.
In response, Mr. Lukman Olumoh, Chairman of the House Committee on Economic Planning and Budget, addressed the protesters on behalf of the Speaker, Mr. Mudashiru Obasa. He assured the protesters that the Assembly would not act against the electorate’s wishes. Olumoh emphasized that the leadership of the House is committed to operating within the law and that the issue raised is a priority for both Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole.
He stated, “We are trying to put a face to the Supreme Court judgement so that Lagos State is properly managed. We have seen the achievements in Lagos with the LCDAs and the 20 local governments. Nobody is going to bring us back, and we will always move forward.”