Lagos Assembly to scrap 37 LCDAs created by Tinubu

The Lagos State House of Assembly is preparing to replace the existing 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) with newly designated Administrative Areas.

The 37 LCDAs were created by President Bola Tinubu in 2003 when he was governor of Lagos State.

This initiative was revealed during a public hearing for the proposed “Bill for a Law to Provide for the Local Government System, Establishment and Administration, and to Consolidate All Laws on Local Government Administration.”

The bill, which outlines the structure of local governance, states that Lagos will operate through democratically elected Local Governments.

According to the bill, Lagos will recognize 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) as outlined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The move coincides with the recent Supreme Court ruling granting financial autonomy to the 774 local governments across Nigeria, which requires that only democratically elected local government bodies can access federal funds.

The bill further mandates the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) to conduct elections for the 20 constitutionally recognized LGAs.

Additionally, each LGA will have designated Area Administrative Offices to enhance local governance efficiency. The bill also proposes the creation of 37 Area Administrative Councils, which will serve under the 20 LGAs.

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These Administrative Councils, to be headed by Area Administrative Secretaries appointed by the Governor, will be funded by the respective LGAs they serve under. The Councils will manage local matters and retain rights, obligations, and liabilities from their previous status as LCDAs.

Furthermore, the proposed law allows LGAs to delegate functions to their respective Administrative Councils. It also grants the Governor the power to suspend any chairman, vice chairman, or political appointee, with reinstatement allowed upon expiration of the suspension, subject to notification of the Assembly.

The bill will repeal both the Local Government Administration Law of 2015 and its 2016 amendment.

During the public hearing, several stakeholders, including the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabir Shotobi, and former Lagos State Commissioner, Hon. Oyinlomo Danmole, expressed concerns.

The Chairman of Odi Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA, Hon. Rasak Ajala, argued that the changes could undermine grassroots development, emphasizing that LCDAs had been pivotal in local administration.

Senator Musiliu Obanikoro also criticized the lack of publicity surrounding the public hearing and stressed the importance of more inclusive consultations.

In his remarks, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, represented by Deputy Speaker Hon. Mojisola Meranda, described the bill as a significant step in optimizing local governance.

He noted that the bill addressed the tenure of local government officials and sought to improve the separation of powers within LGAs, ensuring greater accountability.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Local Government Administration, Hon. Sanni Okanlawon, highlighted that the public hearing aimed to gather feedback for refining the bill before its passage into law.

Lagos Assembly to scrap 37 LCDAs created by Tinubu

Tinubu, Shettima’s absence won’t create vacuum in government – Presidency

The presidency said on Wednesday the absence of President Bola Tinubu and his deputy, Kashim Shettima would not create a leadership vacuum in the country.

President Tinubu left the country for a two-week vacation in the United Kingdom on October 3.

He also made a brief visit to France last week.

Shettima on his part left Abuja for Sweden on a two-day visit on Wednesday.

During his stay in the Nordic nation, the Vice President will hold bilateral talks with the Swedish Crown Princess and the country’s Prime Minister, Mr. Tage Erlander.

In a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President, Bayo Onanuga, said the two leaders are fully engaged in the country’s affairs, even while they are away.

The statement read: “There is no leadership vacuum in the country.

“President Tinubu left the country on October 3 and is on a two-week working vacation.

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“During this time, he has been busy answering phones and issuing directives on matters of state. He will soon return to the country before the vacation officially expires.

“The vice president departed the country Wednesday for Sweden on an official visit, working for Nigeria.

“All state organs are functioning as usual — the Senate President, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Ministers, and Service Chiefs are all in their respective positions, ensuring the smooth operation of the government.

“We had a similar situation in 2022 when former President Buhari and former Vice President Osinbajo were found to be simultaneously out of the country.

“President Buhari attended UNGA 77, while Osinbajo participated in the burial of Queen Elizabeth ll.

“We have also experienced it during this administration — between late April and early May this year, while President Tinubu was in London, after visiting the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia, where he attended the World Economic Forum, Vice-President Shettima left Nigeria, first of all for Nairobi, to attend the International Development Association (IDA21) Heads of State Summit.

“After returning, he left for Dallas, Texas, to attend the US-Africa Business Summit organized by the Corporate Council on Africa.

“President Tinubu returned home on 8 May. During this time, the government’s machinery did not halt.

“The constitution, a testament to our adaptability in the virtual age, does not explicitly require the physical presence of either the president or the vice president in the country at all times to fulfill his duties.”

Tinubu, Shettima’s absence won’t create vacuum in government – Presidency

Submit 2025 Budget proposal without delay, Reps tell Tinubu

The House of Representatives has called on President Bola Tinubu to submit the 2025 budget proposal to the National Assembly promptly.

This request was made during Wednesday’s plenary session, following a motion by Clement Jimbo, a representative from Akwa Ibom.

Jimbo stressed the importance of the president adhering to Section 11(1b) of the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2027, which requires the submission of the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) at least four months before the start of the new financial year.

The MTEF is a critical document that outlines projected revenue, spending, and budgetary policies for the next three years and is essential before the budget presentation.

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Jimbo voiced concern over the delay in transmitting the MTEF and the 2025 budget, pointing out that the National Assembly has the constitutional duty to oversee the use of public funds.

He emphasized the need to adhere to the budget submission and passage legal timeline.

The motion was unanimously adopted through a voice vote led by House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas. Additionally, the House directed its committees on national planning, economic development, appropriation, and finance to ensure compliance within two weeks.

Submit 2025 Budget proposal without delay, Reps tell Tinubu