Major Reasons Sanwo-Olu Decided To Sack The 57 Council Chairmen In Lagos by July 25, 2020

The recent rumoured impending sack of the Chairmen of the 57 Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas, is gaining momentum. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is likely to toe the line of the duo of Governor Seyi Makinde ( Oyo State) and Dapo Abiodun (Ogun State) in dissolving the Councils.

The news for the dissolution of the Lagos State Council came as a rude shock to the serving Council Chairmen, who believed nothing would stop them from spending up to four years in office. The Local Government Administration was amended by former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode. The bill for the amendment was passed by the Lagos State House of Assembly and signed by former governor, Ambode.

According to some notable APC members, who craved anonymity, the impending sack was not unconnected with the usual non performance of majority of the Council Chairmen. More so, what is obvious to most Lagos residents is that, the impact of the Council chairmen are not felt in their various LGA and LCDAs.

Besides, it was gathered that, the Chairmen had lobbied some APC leaders and the Governor to allow them become the Executive Secretaries, at least, for the next one year. The move was reported to have failed. More so, an unconfirmed report has it that, the governor was so bitter about how the COVID-19 palliatives ( money and foodstuffs) were distributed in their various Local Governments and LCDAs.

Another source added that, the tenure elongation might have been seen an avenue to claim equality with the state, in term of years in office. Some still assumed that, the tenure elongation was part of the settlement the former Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode gave to the Council chairmen, most especially those seeking second term in office. The Chairmen were also to work for Ambode’s reelection.

In your own assessment, how do you rate the performances of the Council Chairmen in Lagos State ?