By Peter Dansu Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has renewed the call for the formal recognition of the state’s 37 Local Council D...
By Peter Dansu
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has renewed the call for the formal recognition of the state’s 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Nigeria’s Constitution, urging the National Assembly to act swiftly in the spirit of fairness, equity, and justice.
Speaking through his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, at the South-West Zonal Public Hearing on the Review of the 1999 Constitution held in Ikeja on Friday, Sanwo-Olu made a passionate appeal for constitutional inclusion of the LCDAs — which were created in 2002 during the tenure of former Governor and now President Bola Tinubu — and reiterated the urgent need for the creation of state police to enhance security across local communities.
The public hearing, which is holding simultaneously across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones from July 4 to 5, is part of an ongoing national effort to amend key provisions of the 1999 Constitution. Lagos, Enugu, Kano, Jos, Ikot-Ekpene, and Maiduguri are playing host to the event.
Sanwo-Olu, while welcoming participants and members of the Senate Committee on the Review of the Constitution led by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, described the hearing as timely and vital to Nigeria’s democratic journey. He commended the leadership of the National Assembly and the committee for bringing the discussion to Lagos, adding that the outcomes of the hearing could define the next chapter of the country’s progress.
Highlighting the rationale behind Lagos' push for the enlistment of the 37 LCDAs, the governor said, “These LCDAs were established 23 years ago to bring governance closer to the people. They have since grown, developed administrative capacity, and are delivering essential services. Yet, they remain unrecognized constitutionally—denied their rightful ‘birth certificate.’”
“If we believe in equity, then it is only just that these councils are officially acknowledged,” he added, drawing comparisons with other states. “Alimosho alone has a population of 1.38 million, nearly the size of Bayelsa State. Meanwhile, Kano has 44 local governments, and after Jigawa was carved out, the combined total came to 77. Why then should Lagos, Nigeria’s economic nerve centre, be left behind?”
Sanwo-Olu didn't stop there. He stressed the urgency of establishing state police to tackle rising insecurity. “We cannot continue to rely solely on federal police to secure our communities. The case for state policing is no longer a debate—it is now a necessity,” he said.
On the broader scope of constitutional reforms, the governor outlined key areas that require urgent attention. These include true federalism, devolution of powers, electoral and judicial reforms, creation of additional states, and increased political inclusion for women and youth.
He said the Lagos State Government remains fully committed to democratic values, rule of law, and citizen participation, adding, “This hearing is not just another constitutional exercise; it is a golden opportunity for the South-West to influence the future of Nigeria meaningfully.”
On his part, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, Chairman of the Senate Constitution Review Committee, acknowledged the deep-rooted national demand for constitutional change. He said that while five rounds of amendments have been made since 1999, core national questions remain unresolved.
“These issues—federalism, local government autonomy, justice reform, and security—still dominate public discourse. Nigerians want a constitution that works for them. The Senate, as a representative of the people, must take this demand seriously,” Bamidele said.
He pledged the committee’s commitment to delivering meaningful reforms and assured that the voices heard at the zonal hearings would shape the legislative proposals going forward.
As the nation continues its search for a more inclusive and effective constitutional framework, Lagos State has once again positioned itself at the forefront of the national conversation—pushing for justice, local empowerment, and a more secure, equitable Nigeria.
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