A crisis is unfolding in the Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State following the appointment of Vice Chairman Mr. Akinpelu Johnson to take over from the suspended Chairman, Jelili Sulaimon. The Lagos State House of Assembly suspended Sulaimon on Monday due to various allegations, prompting Johnson’s immediate assumption of duties.
The appointment letter, dated October 8, 2024, and signed by Kikelomo Bolarinwa, the Permanent Secretary of the state Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs, and Rural Development, referred to the House of Assembly’s resolution regarding Sulaimon’s suspension. The letter stated:
“I write to refer to the resolution of the House of Assembly in respect of the above subject which states that Mr. Sulaimon Jelili has been suspended indefinitely from office as the Chairman of Alimosho Local Government in accordance with Section 24 (1,2,3,4) of the Local Government Administration Law (Amendment) Law, 2016.”
The lawmakers resolved that Johnson would take over the council’s affairs immediately and instructed the council management to recognize him and provide necessary support for his new role.
However, tensions arose as four out of seven councillors in the council rejected the purported suspension of Johnson by three of their colleagues. In a press release signed by Deputy Leader Mojisola Fabusuyi Ayeni and three other councillors, they denounced Johnson’s suspension as “staged managed and illegal.” They condemned the actions of the minority legislators who acted on the instructions of the suspended Chairman.
The statement emphasized:
“As representatives of our people from different wards in Alimosho, we remain committed to supporting the state and federal government’s efforts to improve the lives and well-being of our people, especially at the grassroots.”
The councillors commended the State House of Assembly for intervening in what they described as the mismanagement of local government over the years, urging all stakeholders to maintain peace and assuring that there was no cause for alarm as the situation unfolds.