Lagos breaks five-year undemocratic era in LGs

After five years of running the local councils with sole administrators and executive secretaries at different times, Lagos State government, on Tuesday finally ended the undemocratic era with the swearing of elected chairmen and vice chairmen in its 20 local government areas, and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).
Meanwhile, the state governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, has lauded the judgment of Appeal Court in Lagos that set aside the judgment of the Federal High Court empowering the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to regulate transportation and sand dredging in the state. He said the development would go a long way in aiding the efforts of the state government in addressing flood.
For the elected officials, associates, party stalwarts and functionaries of the state government, it was excitement boiled over, coming just four days after the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) declared candidates of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) winners of the 57 chairmanship seats across the local governments following last Saturday’s polls.
Traffic officials from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and policemen had a hectic day managing gridlocks around in Ikeja, the state capital, as thousands thronged the secretariat, Alausa, to witness the swearing-in ceremony, administered by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode. The governor while casting his vote during the election in Epe had said he was happy that election into the councils was taking place in his time.
Speaking swearing-in yesterday, he said it was it was a show of commitment to deepening democratic values at the grassroots just as he appreciated the electorate.
“The hallmark of democracy is the participation of the people through the free exercise of their franchise to elect the people they want to represent them. This is the true source of legitimate mandate to lead a people,” he said.
Ambode further described the Appeal Court’s judgment as a major success in the quest of the state government to control its resources and enshrine the true spirit of fiscal federalism.
He said with the judgment, the era of uncontrolled dredging was over in Lagos as the government would now take firm control over its inland waterways and the adjoining lands including all sand dredging activities.
The Appellate Court had, on July 18, 2017, allowed the Appeal of the State Government and set aside the judgment of the lower court.

 

JOSHUA BASSEY