B y Peter Dansu A simmering legal and political controversy has erupted over the upcoming local government elections in Lagos State, as a ...
By Peter Dansu
Report by Badagry Today yesterday has it that, Medemaku, acting through Noble Anchor Solicitors, filed the lawsuit at the High Court of Lagos State, Badagry Judicial Division, with the suit number yet to be assigned. In the suit, he is seeking to halt what he describes as an “unconstitutional and wasteful” plan to include elections for the 37 LCDAs alongside the 20 constitutionally recognized Local Government Areas (LGAs).
The suit names the Lagos State Government, Attorney-General of Lagos State, Lagos State House of Assembly, Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), Hon. Babatunde Hunpe, and the All Progressives Congress (APC) as defendants.
At the heart of the suit is a fundamental constitutional question: Are LCDAs recognized under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended)? Medemaku argues they are not—and as such, any election into them would lack legal validity.
Reacting to the legal move, a Badagry-based social analyst and commentator, Matthew Gbenu, has thrown his weight behind Medemaku, hailing his action as bold and necessary in a political climate that often punishes independent thought.
“Brother,” Gbenu wrote in a public commentary, “I want you to take a moment to celebrate yourself and express gratitude for your star. It takes courage to stand out in a society where mediocrity and conformity prevail.”
Gbenu noted that many might view the suit through a political lens, failing to grasp its constitutional implications. “They may reduce the issue to a personal matter rather than recognizing the need for constitutional clarity and dedication to nation-building,” he said, warning that unsolicited opinions and political pressure would likely follow.
The analyst further pointed out a crucial flaw in the electoral arrangement: “For a local government election to be considered valid, it must encompass all the federal wards within that local government area. Therefore, for an election to be deemed legitimate for Badagry Local Government, it must be conducted from Seme to Morogbo, and from Koga to Iworo.”
Under the current setup, Gbenu claims, residents of what are now known as Olorunda and Badagry West are being disenfranchised—an exclusion he argues undermines the integrity of the process.
“One does not need to be a legal expert to recognize its validity; basic common sense suffices,” he said. “Unfortunately, as is often the case, neophytes and political wannabes will struggle to see the bigger picture.”
He urged Medemaku to stay the course: “Regardless of the outcome, you have raised a legal point that deserves to be taken seriously and not dismissed as mere banter or playful discourse on social media.”
Gbenu concluded with a national call to action, insisting the issue stretches far beyond Lagos. “This is a national discussion beyond Badagry Local Government or Lagos State. Thank you for using your intellect and skill for genuine nation-building and not for the usual political bowl-carrying almajerism that we have sunk into as a nation. I salute!”
As the case awaits assignment and hearing, it has already stirred renewed public interest in the status and legality of LCDAs, and how far state governments can stretch their powers within the bounds of the Nigerian Constitution.
The coming weeks promise to test not only the legal foundation of the LCDAs, but also the political will to confront longstanding questions about governance and representation in Nigeria’s most populous state.
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