Connect with us

News

Lagos Assembly Goes Tough On 57 Councils, Mandates 1 Project Per Quarter

Published

on

Spread the love

 


 

Worried over unimpressive development at the grassroots, Lagos State House of Assembly, has mandated

local government chairmen of 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas, LCDAs in the state to complete at least a developmental project within every quarter of the four year term.

Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, who gave the marching order, said chairmen, vice chairmen, councillors and other top officials of the 57 councils in Lagos State would henceforth, face strict monitoring to make them meet the yearnings and aspirations of their people.

Obasa, at separate meetings with the council chairmen, vice chairmen, councillors and senior staff of the councils in Lagos recently, said reports available to the House have shown that some of the council chairmen have not met the expectations of their people, so far.

According to Eromosele Ebhomele, the Media Assistant to the speaker, Obasa warned that the house would no longer be business as usual in the councils as the Assembly will now ensure strict compliance to serving the interests of the people.

The speaker frowned at the aloofness that those set of public office holders have exhibited at that level of government to the detriment of the expectations of residents.

Obasa, who noted that council officials in Lagos were the only ones with four-year term in Nigeria, stressed that “it is disheartening how some of these chairmen personalise monthly allocations while their communities are crying for infrastructure and other forms of developmental initiatives.

“I wonder how you sleep with your eyes closed while your council cannot even build and equip a good maternity centre. You can’t justify the fact that in six months, there is no meaningful project done by you in your community.

“Some councils have no single project for over two years, you treat the vice chairmen and councillors like they must be subservient even when you are going astray. Some of your councillors have not received official vehicles up till now.

“Some of your councils do not have legislative chambers, meaning that the councillors have not been holding sittings. How then do you get approvals for the money you spend?

“We are aware of how some of these councils go ahead to borrow money up to nine-digit figures without approvals or due process and how they lease council property without caution. We won’t allow these to happen again.

“It is now strictly going to be true governance at the grassroots level. If you don’t develop your communities, where would you fall back to when you leave office? How would the people see you?” The Speaker asked while urging the councillors to up their effectiveness.

Obasa maintained that having a well-equipped maternity centre in every ward of the local governments for residents to easily access healthcare is not impossible. He also enjoined the chairmen to embark on creation of parks and gardens in their local government councils and areas for the well-being of the people.

Going forward, he said, each council chairman must adopt “a policy that every quarter, there must be something to show that you are truly in office. Let there be something to commission.

“If you’re to construct a road, it shouldn’t be one that would last for a month or a year. It should be something that would make people pray for you each time they pass through it. Let’s truly serve our people.”

He warned the chairmen, the council managers and treasurers against constituting themselves into a power bloc that runs the councils without inputs from vice chairmen and councillors, who are supposed to issue approvals for spending and projects.

“We are here today to talk to each other. This is no witch-hunt. But I want you to always ask yourselves if you have been doing well for the people who voted you into office. How well have you been treating your vice chairmen, councillors and staff too?

“Some of you were vice chairmen before and you bitterly complained about your chairmen. Now that you are chairmen, what have you done to change what you complained about? How have you bettered those working with you? How have you changed the lives of your councillors?

“You need to have the fear of God and treat the people around you right. We (my colleagues and I) seriously made efforts, passed through a lot to amend the law for your benefits and to make you stay in office for four years. You need to think about the public and how to touch them.

“The best way to handle your office is to touch lives and do things that would make people speak well of you later in life. We have not asked you for money. All we are saying is that you do things for the progress of our state.

“The governor of our state cannot do it all alone. You are, therefore, supposed to be the nearest to the grassroots and help him with your own efforts.

“We must try to move with the moment. The world is moving and we can’t continue to do things like we live in the past,” he said while advising the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy to always guide the chairmen and other officials to deliver democratic dividends to their people.

In his comment, the chairman of Conference57, Kolade Alabi David, commended the Speaker for his advice and promised that there would be changes in the way the chairmen ran the affairs of their council areas.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Police Invites APC Senator Over ‘Kill Accord’ Comment As CP Reads Riot Act

Published

on

Spread the love

 

The Osun State Police Command has summoned Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District, over his alleged comment directing supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to “kill” members of the rival Accord Party during the state governorship election.

 

The summons followed the circulation of a video on social media in which the senator, while speaking in Yoruba during an APC campaign in Ilesa on Tuesday, allegedly made the controversial remarks.

In a letter dated August 11, 2026, and signed by the Commissioner of Police, Elections, Osun State, Samuel Etaifo Erale, the command invited Fadahunsi to clarify the circumstances surrounding the statements.

The senator was directed to report to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Osogbo, at 11am on Wednesday, August 12.

The letter said the invitation was based on information available to the police alleging that Fadahunsi made statements considered “threatening, inciting and intimidating” during the campaign.

It added that the alleged statement had been circulated on various electronic and social media platforms.

Senator clarifies comment

Fadahunsi, in the video, was heard speaking in Yoruba and allegedly telling APC supporters to kill members of the Accord Party if they encountered them during the electoral process.

Following the backlash generated by the video, however, the senator’s team said his comment was misinterpreted.

In a statement titled, “Kill Osun Accord with Votes, Not Violence,” the team said the senator was calling on APC supporters to defeat the Accord Party through the ballot box.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Senator’s statement was purely political and metaphorical,” the statement said.

It described the senator’s remark as a call for supporters to “overwhelmingly reject the Accord Party at the ballot box through lawful, peaceful and democratic means” during the August 15 governorship election.

The controversy comes amid heightened political activities ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, in which incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke is seeking re-election on the platform of the Accord Party.

Adeleke has repeatedly accused the APC of using thugs to attack his supporters, allegations the party has disputed.

Meanwhile, the Osun State Police Commissioner for Election, Samuel Etaifo, has warned politicians to refrain from using violence and inciteful comments as the state heads to the governorship election on Saturday.

In a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, on Wednesday, the police commissioner condemned the alleged comment, saying the politicians must exercise restraint at this critical period.

“At this critical period of the electoral process, political leaders and public office holders are expected to exercise restraint, promote peace, and refrain from making comments capable of heightening tension or undermining public confidence in the electoral and security arrangements put in place for the forthcoming election,” he said.

While reaffirming the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to neutrality, professionalism, and the protection of democratic values, CP Etaifo emphasised that the Police will not tolerate any act, utterance, or conduct capable of inciting violence, disrupting public peace, or threatening the security of the state.

“Consequently, the Commissioner of Police has invited Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi to provide clarification on the statement and to foster mutual understanding in the interest of peace and security,” he said.

Continue Reading

News

NiMet Names 13 States To Experience Flood In August

Published

on

Spread the love

 

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has warned of possible flash floods in 13 states between August 11 and 20, 2026.

 

NiMet issued the warning in an advisory posted on its X handle listing Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Niger, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Adamawa, Plateau, Benue, Kogi, Taraba, Cross River and Akwa Ibom as states at high risk.

The agency said the outlook was based on forecast rainfall intensity, soil moisture, drainage capacity, terrain and dam characteristics.

It said the advisory was intended to support early preparedness, emergency response and disaster risk reduction.

NiMet warned that flash floods could occur in flood-prone, low-lying, urban and riverside communities, with possible impacts including road closures, traffic congestion and transport disruptions.

It also warned that flooding could temporarily disrupt electricity and telecommunications services, while heavy rainfall could reduce visibility and affect road and aviation operations.

According to the agency, waterlogging could damage farmlands, crops and livestock, while flash floods could destroy roads, bridges, drainage systems and other critical infrastructure.

It added that stagnant floodwaters could increase the risk of waterborne diseases.

NiMet advised residents to follow weather forecasts and flood alerts from the agency and emergency management authorities.

It urged the public to avoid walking or driving through flooded roads, bridges and fast-flowing water, and advised people in vulnerable areas to remain alert and be prepared to relocate to safer locations if necessary.

The agency also urged emergency management authorities to strengthen surveillance, pre-position response teams and maintain emergency preparedness.

It advised farmers to improve drainage on their farms and move livestock, machinery and harvested produce away from flood-prone areas.

Continue Reading

News

CAIDOV Challenges Stakeholders Over Peaceful Election In Osun

Published

on

Spread the love

 

The Centre Against Injustice and Domestic Violence – CAIDOV has called on all stakeholders in Osun State to prioritize peace, fairness, and the rule of law as the state approaches its election.

 

As a human rights and justice organization, CAIDOV urged political parties, candidates, security agencies, INEC, traditional rulers, and voters to shun violence, intimidation, vote-buying, and all forms of electoral malpractice

In the statement by CAIDOV signed by Its Executive Director Gbenga Soloki stated
“Osun people deserve an election that reflects their true will. We want a peaceful election in Osun — free, fair, credible, and devoid of bloodshed. A peaceful Osun will guarantee prosperity for all.The ballot should be the only weapon. Any act of violence or injustice undermines democracy and hurts the very citizens we seek to serve.”

CAIDOV specifically urged Security Agencies to remain neutral, professional, and protect voters, materials, and officials.

INEC according to CAIDOV should ensure transparency and timely delivery of materials,while
Political Actors are enjoined to play by the rules and accept outcomes in good faith.

CAIDOV called on Voters to come out peacefully, vote, and protect their votes without fear

We also urge civil society, media, and community leaders to preach tolerance and de-escalate tensions.

CAIDOV will be monitoring compliance with electoral laws and report any cases of injustice or violence.

_Let the voice of Osun people be heard peacefully. Democracy thrives where peace reigns._

*Signed:*
*Gbenga Soloki*
Executive Director, CAIDOV

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2026 TheColumn NG