In preparation of the local government council election, which is due this year in Lagos State, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has appointed six eminent persons to serve in the state Independent Electoral Commission.
According to a statement on Wednesday by the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, the appointees are Hon. Justice Bola Okikiolu Ighile (rtd) as Chairman, Mr. Samson Ajibade, Mr. Oluwo Akim Durojaiye, Dr. Metilelu Olumide Olusola, Mr. Aileru Abeeb Dapo and Mr. Oladele Adekanye.
He said that details of the swearing-in ceremony would be announced in due course.
The state held local government council election in July 2021, and the tenure is four years as approved by the administration of Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode in 2016. In signing the Local Government Administration (Amendment) Law’ on 5 May 2016, the then Governor Akinwunmi Ambode said that chairmen and other elected officials of local government councils in the state would enjoy four-year tenure as against three.
“This new tenure structure brings elected council officials at par with their counterparts at the state level, including governor, deputy, and speaker and members of House of Assembly”, he explained.
Last week, the Supreme Court barred governors from dissolving local government councils, and prohibited federal allocation to council being administered by caretaker committees. The apex court ruled that that was constitutionally illegal.
Since then, at least 13 states have fixed dates for local council elections. The states include Kaduna, Kogi, Bauchi, Katsina, Osun, Enugu, Benue, Rivers, Jigawa, Imo, Kebbi, Abia, and Anambra.