By Habeeb Ibrahim
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has appointed six individuals to the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) ahead of the upcoming council polls.
The appointees include Justice Bola Okikiolu Ighile (Retd) as Chairman, and Mr. Samson Ajibade, Mr. Oluwo Durojaiye, Dr. Metilelu Olusola, Mr. Aileru Abeeb Dapo, and Mr. Oladele Adekanye as members.
According to the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, the swearing-in ceremony details will be announced soon.
This development comes after the Supreme Court granted financial autonomy to local governments and prohibited federal allocation to councils managed by caretaker committees.
The court’s judgment emphasized the importance of democratically elected local government councils and declared the use of caretaker committees by state governors as unconstitutional.
Following this judgment, at least 13 states, including Kaduna, Kogi, Bauchi, Katsina, Osun, Enugu, Benue, Rivers, Jigawa, Imo, Kebbi, Abia, and Anambra, have fixed dates for Local Government elections.
The Supreme Court’s verdict has paved the way for the conduct of council polls in Lagos State, with LASIEC commencing a review of electoral laws to meet international standards.
The commission aims to ensure good governance and citizen participation in local government elections, which are considered crucial for grassroots development and democracy.
