Dozens of Lagos residents under the aegis of Concerned Oshodi Citizens have petitioned the Lagos State House of Assembly, accusing the Chairman of Oshodi-Isolo Local Government, Kehinde Oloyede, of allegedly altering the state government’s approved list of executive council appointees in the council.
The group, which submitted its petition during a protest at the Assembly complex in Alausa, Ikeja, alleged that the council chairman disregarded the official list released by the Lagos State Government and instead swore in individuals whose names were not on the list, including the Secretary to the Local Government (SLG).
In the petition signed by the group’s spokesperson, Sola Omolola, the demonstrators described the action as an act of impunity and a direct affront to constituted authority, urging the lawmakers to investigate the matter to avoid a crisis within the council.
In the petition presented to the lawmakers on Wednesday, they added that the lawmakers’ corrective measures would help to restore order in Oshodi-Isolo Local Government.
Carrying placards with inscriptions such as “No to Impunity,” “Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Chairman Should Be Called to Order,” and “Oshodi Indigenes Appeal to the Governor to Compel the Chairman to Honour the Approved List,” the protesters called for urgent intervention from the state government.
Addressed to the Speaker of the Assembly and titled “Petition Against the Actions of the Executive Chairman of Oshodi-Isolo Local Government for Disregarding the Approved List of Secretary to the Local Government, Supervisory Councillors and Special Advisers Released by the Lagos State Government,” the document alleged that the chairman deliberately subverted the approved list.
According to the petitioners, the state government had earlier released and publicised the official list of appointees for the positions of Secretary to the Local Government, Supervisory Councillors and Special Advisers across councils in the state.
However, the group alleged that Oloyede acted contrary to the directive by unilaterally swearing in an “unknown individual” as SLG, instead of the officially designated candidate, Smart Olayinka, whose name was included in the state government’s published list.
They further claimed that several individuals whose names appeared on the approved list were removed by the council chairman. Those allegedly affected include Ishola Idowu Adelana, Taiwo Ganiu Jimoh, Abolore Ajanaku, and Saka Tomori.
The petitioners argued that such actions undermine the authority of the state government and violate the principles of discipline and internal democracy within the ruling All Progressives Congress.
They warned that if the matter is not addressed promptly, it could deepen political divisions at the grassroots level in Oshodi-Isolo and threaten party unity ahead of future elections.
Receiving the petition on behalf of the Assembly, lawmakers Kazeem Esho, representing Mushin Constituency II, and Samuel Apata, representing Somolu Constituency II, assured the protesters that the Assembly would look into the allegations.
The group also appealed to the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and party leadership to intervene and ensure that the approved list of appointees is respected.
They maintained that their appeal was aimed at protecting the integrity of the party, preserving respect for constituted authority, and preventing a breakdown of political cohesion within Oshodi-Isolo Local Government.
