Lagos LGA: Group seeks transparent conduct,wants AGF to issue advisory on tenure limit

By Ugbede James

The Progressive Group for Democracy(PGD),a pro democracy group, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to further consolidate democratic gains by ensuring transparent processes in local government elections in lagos state.

The group also urged Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fegbemi to issue an immediate advisory on term limits for local government administrations.

PGD’s National Coordinator, Aladesanmi Abiodun Salawu made the call at a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday.

Salawu said the call became necessary, following alleged third term agenda of some local government area council officials in Lagos state.

He described as unconstitutional the move by the council officials to seek what it described as third term agenda,describing the move as anti-democratic.

“Today, we stand at a very dangerous crossroads,the same anti-democratic forces that our heroes fought against during the June12 struggle are re-emerging in Lagos state.

” It is wearing different masks but executing the same sinister agenda tenure elongation.

“The facts are clear and unambiguous in Agbado Oke-Odo LCDA and Ikosi Isheri LCDA,we are witnessing a calculated attempt to normalise constitutional violations through the backdoor.

“These individuals who assumed office following the death of elected chairpersons are now attempting to perpetuate themselves in power beyond the constitutional limit,this is a third term agenda, disguised as legal technicality,”he said.

Salawu said the fourth alteration, bill no 16 signed by former President Buhari in 2018 leaves no room for ambiguity on tenure of local officials.

“Once you’ve taken an oath of office after succeeding a deceased office holder, and then contest and win another term, you can not seek a third term.

“The Nigerian Constitution is supreme over all other laws, including the Lagos State Local Government Administration Law.

” Section seven of our constitution guarantees democratically elected local government councils, It is not subject to manipulation by political opportunists seeking to domesticate themselves in power.”

He said it would be very disastrous to maintain a deafening silence on the unconstitutional tenure elongation plan by some local government officials in the state,adding that it should not be set as precedent for Nigeria’s democracy.

Salawu also urged Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) to demonstrate true independence by immediately disqualifying all candidates seeking unconstitutional third term.

He further urged President Tinubu to publicly reject the alleged third term agenda in Lagos local councils,advising the individuals in Agbado Oke-Odo and kosi Isheri council areas seeking a third term to withdraw their candidacy.

“We are not making a request, we are stating what the constitution already mandates.”

According to him, the Lagos Society for good governance will utilise every legal means available to challenge what it described as dangerous precedent.

“We will mobilise civil society organizations, approach the courts, and if necessary, exercise our constitutional right to peaceful protest.

“Democracy is not a spectator sport,the people of Lagos must rise up now before this constitutional virus spreads across Nigeria.”