Legal Gray Areas Cloud Lagos APC’s Local Government Election Announcement

The Lagos State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared its intent to hold local government elections in 20 local governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in 2025. This announcement follows the recent Supreme Court ruling granting autonomy to local governments.

A Troubling Legacy of Uncertainty

The establishment of the 37 LCDAs, carved out from Lagos’ constitutionally recognized 20 local governments, has long been a contentious issue. Despite their creation over 20 years ago, these LCDAs remain unrecognized by Nigeria’s Constitution, leaving their legal status and by extension, the legitimacy of elections held within them in question.

This ambiguity has fueled persistent speculation regarding the state’s plans. The APC’s announcement, rather than addressing these concerns head-on, appears to sidestep the critical issue of constitutional recognition.

Hollow Reassurances Amid Legal Complexities

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s Special Adviser on Media, Gboyega Akoshile, attempted to allay concerns, claiming that “creativity” birthed the LCDAs and would continue to sustain them. However, such vague assurances do little to resolve the deeper legal and governance challenges posed by the Supreme Court’s recent ruling.

Instead of outlining a clear roadmap to align the LCDAs with constitutional provisions, Akoshile’s remarks reflect an apparent unwillingness to confront the structural issues underpinning the LCDAs’ existence.

APC Leadership’s Overconfidence

The Lagos APC Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, has asserted that elections will be conducted across the state, including the 37 LCDAs, in 2025. Ojelabi emphasized the LCDAs’ contributions to grassroots development, listing projects such as road construction, school facilities, and refuse disposal.

However, this celebratory rhetoric rings hollow when juxtaposed with the lack of transparency regarding the LCDAs’ budgetary autonomy, accountability mechanisms, and operational alignment with the constitution. The party’s decision to forge ahead with elections in these disputed areas could be seen as prioritizing political expediency over genuine democratic principles.

Ignoring the Elephant in the Room

While the APC lauds the LCDAs as critical to socio-economic development, critics argue that their existence raises troubling questions about the fragmentation of governance structures and the undermining of Nigeria’s federal framework. The party’s insistence on defending the LCDAs without addressing their legal status risks perpetuating a governance model that operates in a constitutional gray area.

Moreover, the party’s dismissive tone toward the ongoing debates surrounding the LCDAs suggests an unwillingness to engage with legitimate concerns. Statements urging Lagosians to “coexist peacefully” seem more focused on stifling dissent than fostering constructive dialogue.

The Bottom Line

The Lagos APC’s announcement of local government elections in 2025 underscores deeper structural and legal issues within Nigeria’s governance system. While the LCDAs may provide localized services, their lack of constitutional recognition undermines the legitimacy of elections conducted within them.

Instead of offering vague reassurances, the APC must address the legal uncertainties surrounding the LCDAs, ensuring that governance in Lagos adheres to constitutional principles. Without such efforts, the state risks entrenching a system that prioritizes political maneuvering over accountability and the rule of law.