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LAGOS – A coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) under the aegis of Lagos People’s Assembly has warned the state House of Assembly not to destroy the legacy of President Bola Tinubu, which he holds dear to his heart regarding the creation of local governments.
The group which stormed the Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday to protest the high handedness of Mudashiru Obasa led House said it won’t allow a group of people to rubbish Tinubu’s legacy, nor take over the power of the councilors at the grassroots level
The co-convener, Kola Abe, who spoke on behalf of the group, said it’s unbecoming that the House will usurp the role of councilors by suspending a local government chair.
The group is protesting against a contentious bill that seeks to override the autonomy granted to the 774 local governments in Nigeria by the Supreme Court.
Abe said, “We want to sound a note of warning to the Lagos State House of Assembly not to take over the role of councilors by suspending a local government chairman.
“The struggle for local government creation in Lagos State started 21 years ago. You’ll 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 Local Council Development Areas (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 won’t allow that to happen. We’re also surprised that the House is taking over the role of councilors when the Supreme Court has given them autonomy.”
Also, speaking, Sĥina Loremikan of Campaign Against Impunity said the group has submitted its position that the House should not tamper with the local governments nor pass any motion or resolution that will undermine it.
Responding, Hon. Lukman Olumoh, representing Ajeromi Ifelodun 1, who spoke on behalf of the Speaker, assured the protesters that the House won’t do anything against the will of the people.
While admitting the gains of the LCDAs over the years, he said it’s the creation of the Assembly, adding that it won’t do anything that will reverse the gains.
It will be recalled that the apex court in a landmark ruling has given the local governments in Nigeria financial autonomy to free it from the stranglehold of governors which had hitherto tied them to the apron strings in the guise of joint account.
The Lagos State House of Assembly has initiated a bill to override the Supreme Court judgement.
During the last public hearing of the bill, a former Senator, Musiliu Obanikoro, chairman of Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA, Rasak Ajala, among other stakeholders, spoke against the bill.
They argue that such should be subjected to a thorough scrutiny and not done without the input of all the stakeholders. Obanikoro was particularly piqued that the House is having such a bill without the input of the ruling political party.
