The stage is now set for local government elections in Lagos State.
Already, the state electoral umpire, the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission, LASIEC, has reeled out the time table and guidelines for the chairmanship and councillorship elections into the 20 local governments and 37 local council development areas in the state. The whole exercise will end in July.
As it is the tradition, though unhealthy for Nigeria’s democracy, the ruling party in the state most times sweep the local government polls. Lagos State is not an exception. The All Progressives Congress, APC, holds sway here.
It is interesting to note that majority of the council chairmen are warming up to return to office, except some of them that are already in their second terms. For those aiming to return, performance should be the basis for the APC to get them the second term.
In Alimosho with one Local government and five LCDAs, two of the chairmen will not be returning, those of Igando Ikotun LCDA (Morenike Williams) and Ayobo Ipaja LCDA (Adisa Shakiru. Jelili Sulaimon of Alimosho LG, Princess Olabisi Adebajo of Mosan Okunola LCDA, David Famuyiwa of Agbado Oke Odo, and Kunle Sanyaolu Olowoopejo of Egbe Idimu LCDA are seeking re-election for another term.
The question that arises now is that, should these chairmen be given the tickets to return? The answer should be derived from their performances during this first term that is winding down gradually.
Ahead of the election, Community Standard will publish an assessment of the performances of these incumbents seeking re-election vis a vis the opinions of residents.
We will also do a profile on them, their chances as well as that of other aspirants seeking to unseat them from power.
