In the political microcosm of Lagos, the horizon seems to be darkening as a controversy erupts within Conference 57. In a recent interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Secretary General of Conference 57, Rasaq Ajala, warned of the repercussions of a bill seeking to replace the current 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) with Area Administrative Councils in the state.
The bill, titled “A Bill to provide a framework for the system, establishment and administration of local councils and to consolidate all laws relating to the administration of local councils and related purposes”, has sparked a heated debate in the House of Assembly.
Rasaq Ajala, who is also the Executive Chairman of the Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA, stressed in the interview that replacing LCDAs with Area Administrative Councils was not the ideal solution. According to him, the Assembly and the executive should focus their efforts on enshrining the 37 LCDAs in the constitution, while preserving the current structure of the 57 local councils.
He argued that the grassroots development currently enjoyed by the people of the state is largely due to the creation of the 37 LCDAs, adding that the legal validation of the initiative by the Supreme Court guaranteed its legitimacy.
Ajala’s argument is based on the conviction that the relevance of the LCDAs is inseparable from their positive impact on the social and economic fabric of the state. The aspiration to maintain the status quo stems from the certainty that the foundations laid by the LCDAs have helped position the state as a national leader.
However, the possibility of introducing Sector Administrative Councils echoes a desire for reform and efficiency in the management of local affairs. This proposal seeks to strengthen local governance by integrating new administrative mechanisms within the existing system.
In sum, the ongoing debate illustrates the complexity of the issues surrounding the administration of local councils in Lagos. At the heart of this controversy are critical questions about the political and administrative structure of the state, as well as the future of local governance.
As the protagonists of Conference 57 continue to defend their respective positions, the outcome of this debate could significantly shape the political landscape of Lagos and influence the future of local institutions in the state.