Sanwo-Olu to newly elected council chairmen: LG autonomy leaves no room for excuses

By Lukman Olabiyi

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has charged newly sworn-in chairmen of Local Governments (LGs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) across the state to deliver on their mandates without excuses, citing the ongoing implementation of local government autonomy.

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony held at the Sports Ground, Lagos House, Ikeja, the governor said the decentralisation of power through LG autonomy provides the council leaders with the authority and resources to bring development directly to the grassroots.

“You now have no excuse not to deliver. The autonomy you enjoy today must be used to make real impact in the lives of our people. Be accountable, trustworthy, and let the THEMES agenda of this administration come alive in your localities,” Sanwo-Olu said.

The ceremony followed the landslide victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the July 12 local government elections, where the party clinched all 57 chairmanship seats and 375 out of 376 councillorship positions across the state.

The elections, conducted by the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), were held in 13,325 polling units. Despite a low voter turnout, the process was reported to be peaceful and devoid of major incidents.

Of the 19 registered political parties in Lagos State, 15 participated in the elections. The APC fielded candidates in all available positions, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) contested in 45 councils and 259 wards. The Labour Party (LP) participated in 22 LGAs and 130 wards.

Governor Sanwo-Olu advised the new council bosses to take their time before appointing their executive cabinet members, urging them to focus on delivering meaningful grassroots governance.

He assured them of the state government’s continued support, including capacity-building initiatives to help them succeed.

Also speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Mr. Bolaji Robert, described the election results as a reflection of the trust and acceptance the new leaders enjoy at the grassroots level.

Speaking on behalf of the newly sworn-in officials, the Chairman of Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area, Mr. Sesan Olowa, expressed gratitude to God and the current administration for the opportunity to serve.

He pledged the unwavering commitment of the new chairmen to uphold the legacy of the APC and to deliver impactful leadership and governance at the grassroots.