By Peter Dansu A leadership vacuum has emerged in Oto-Awori Local Council Development Area (LCDA) following the death of its Chairman, Hon...
By Peter Dansu
A leadership vacuum has emerged in Oto-Awori Local Council Development Area (LCDA) following the death of its Chairman, Hon. Musbau Ashafa, as the Vice Chairman, Kareem Azeez Abiodun, has declined to step into the role of the Chairman.
Abiodun, who is also the All Progressives Congress (APC) flagbearer for the July 12 local government elections, cited legal concerns over his political future as the reason for his decision. He referenced the recently signed Local Government Administration Law of 2025 by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, which stipulates that any vice chairman who takes over following a chairman's death, resignation, or defection is considered to have served a full term—regardless of the length of service.
By assuming the role, Abiodun risks being considered to have served a full tenure, despite only a few days remaining in the late Chairman’s term, to whom he serves as Vice Chairman. This could prevent him from seeking reelection if he wins the July 12 local government elections, as the new law counts interim leadership as a complete term in office.
The development has sparked a constitutional and political dilemma within the LCDA, drawing the attention of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Reacting to the unfolding crisis, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, issued a clear directive: Abiodun must either resign from his position as vice chairman to focus on his campaign or fulfill his constitutional duty by stepping up to lead the council.
Obasa emphasized that the law is unambiguous—once a vice chairman takes over as chairman, even temporarily, it is regarded as a full term. He warned that any attempt to mismanage council funds or manipulate the situation for political gain would be met with consequences that could endanger Abiodun’s candidacy.
In a bid to get to the root of the matter, the Assembly has summoned the Council Manager, the Treasurer in Oto-Awori, and the Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission for a detailed briefing.
With just days to the elections, the situation has left residents and political observers watching closely, as the council battles with uncertainty over its leadership and the legal implications for Abiodun’s candidacy.
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