The Centre for Human and Socio-economic Rights (CHSR) has berated Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State Governor, over non-implementation of the Lagos State Local Government Administrative Law, 2025.
Comrade Alex Omotehinse, President of CHSR, warned that Sanwo-Olu’s deliberate move could derail electoral fairness and public mistrust in the state.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Omotehinse called on President Bola Tinubu, the Attorney General of the Federation, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), and other civil society organisations, to prevail on the governor to ratify immediate enforcement of the law in line with constitutional dictates and democratic ethics.
“While we commend Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for assenting to a critical piece of legislation aimed at redefining administrative processes in local governance, we are deeply concerned about the unconstitutional delay in its implementation, now proposed to take effect from August 4, 2025, after the scheduled July 12 Local Council elections.
“This postponement, in our assessment, is not only ill-advised but raises serious questions about equity, transparency, and political neutrality, especially as it disproportionately favours certain local councils, notably Oto Awori LCDA and Ikosi-Isheri LCDA, whose position may be directly impacted by the law if it were implemented immediately.
“We strongly assert that once a law is duly passed and signed by the executive arm of government, let it be unequivocally stated,” he said. Omotehinse warned that any attempt to delay or selectively implement such a law will set a dangerous precedent and undermine the principles of the rule of law.
“As a pacesetter among Nigerian states, Lagos State should not be seen as circumventing democratic standards for perceived political advantage. We consider this delay not just an administrative misstep but a deliberate move that threatens electoral fairness and could further deepen public mistrust in government processes.
“Delaying the law’s execution until after the elections could create a legal vacuum, open the door to litigation, and damage Lagos State’s hard-earned reputation as a democratic example for other states in the federation,” he stated.
