Signs emerged on Wednesday in Lagos that some local government chairmen sworn in about three months ago may have rejected the appointees of the state governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode as secretaries and supervisory councillors of their councils.
It would be recalled that the state government last week Thursday announced the appointment of Secretaries to the Local Governments (SLGs) and Supervisory Councillors for the 20 Local Governments (LGs) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state.
Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Tunji Bello, said in a statement that Governor Ambode, authorised the release of the list of the appointees, in line with the provisions of the Lagos Local Government Administration Law and the Guidelines for Administrative Procedures for Local Government.
Nigerian Tribune learnt that some chairmen of councils that have so far jettisoned the governor’s list and brought on board their favourites to take charge include: Alimosho, Ayobo-Ipaja, Mosan-Okunola, Agbado-Okeodo, Eti Osa, Isolo, Egbe Idimu, Agboyi-Ketu, Shomolu, Kosofe and Agege.
This was just as it was gathered that the development took place in spite of directive form the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon.Muslim Folami, that the Heads of Administration in all the councils must comply with the governor’s directive, else those who went against such would be sanctioned.
It was further gathered that some of the council chairmen were doing this in connivance with their party leaders, contending that the power to pick who to be appointed as Secretaries to the Local Governments (SLGs) and Supervisors resided with council authority and the party leadership at the grassroots.
When contacted, a highly placed source in the Lagos State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC), who did not want his name in print, said the party would not react to the development now, adding: “We are not reacting yet,”