By Ghazali Ibrahim
A leadership spot has emerged in Oto-Awori Local Council Development Area (LCDA) following the death of its Chairman, Hon. Musbau Ashafa, as the Vice Chairman, Kareem Azeez Abiodun, has declined to assume the office in an acting capacity.
Abiodun, who is also the All Progressives Congress (APC) flagbearer in the upcoming July 12 local government elections, cited legal risks to his political future under the newly signed Lagos State Local Government Administration Law of 2025.
The law, recently enacted by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, stipulates that if a vice chairman assumes the role of chairman due to the incumbent’s death, resignation, or defection, it will be counted as a full term in office, regardless of the duration served.
Faced with this dilemma, Abiodun has refused to step in as acting chairman, arguing that doing so could jeopardize his eligibility for reelection even if his time in office lasts just a few days.
The decision has plunged the LCDA into a political and administrative limbo.
The crisis has drawn the attention of the Lagos State House of Assembly, with Speaker Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa warning Abiodun to either resign from his current post to focus on his campaign or fulfill his constitutional duty by assuming leadership of the council.
“The law is clear,” Obasa said.
“Any vice chairman who steps in as chairman even for a day has effectively served a term. Mr. Abiodun must make a choice. He cannot stall governance in Oto-Awori while hedging his political bets.”
Obasa also cautioned against any attempt to exploit the situation for personal gain or mismanage council funds, noting that such actions would carry severe consequences, including the risk of losing Abiodun’s candidacy.
In response to the growing uncertainty, the House of Assembly has summoned the Council Manager, the Treasurer of Oto-Awori, and the Chairman of the Lagos State Local Government Service Commission for an emergency briefing.
With just days to the election, the situation has left residents and political observers in suspense as Oto-Awori faces a governance impasse at a critical time.
The outcome could set a precedent for how similar succession issues are handled across Lagos State under the new law.
