The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has ordered all newly sworn-in chairmen for the 20 Local Governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) to suspend appointments of political officeholders until 60 days after assuming office.
Sanwo-Olu said that aside from the Chief of Staff, other appointments should be put on hold within this period to allow the council chairmen to understand the challenges confronting each sector within their constituency.
As gathered, the chairmen who had already made political appointments beyond the Chief of Staff have begun reversing these appointments to avoid attracting penalties from the governor.
In an official circular dated July 31, 2025, with reference number MLG/LGA/C.27/S./VOL.XIV/496, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Kikelomo Bolarinwa, conveyed the directive in line with the governor’s instructions during the recent swearing-in ceremony.
The statement read, “I write to refer to the directive of Mr. Governor at the swearing-in ceremony in respect of the appointment of Political Office Holders in the Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas, particularly the Supervisors, Special Advisers, and Senior Special Assistants.
“I am to reiterate that the appointment of the Chief of Staff is the only appointment approved/permissible as you assume office, while other appointments should be stepped down until further directive. You are enjoined to note the above and revert any appointment that has been made except the Chief of Staff,” Bolarinwa added.
Earlier during the inauguration, Sanwo-Olu said that the move was part of the government’s broader commitment to transparency, accountability, and performance-based governance at the grassroots level.
The directive is aimed at ensuring that the chairmen settle into office and commence active governance without delay.
Sanwo-Olu noted that there is no immediate pressure on the newly elected chairmen to appoint supervisors or special advisers. he stated that the directive was intentional, not a formality.
The governor emphasized the importance of engaging directly with their communities, studying the local landscape, and identifying the real needs and expectations of the people they serve.
He stressed that effective leadership must be informed by firsthand knowledge of grassroots concerns.
“We are going to give you time to settle in, to understand the rudiments of the work, to go around and go and learn and go around all your communities, hit the ground with an understanding of what people truly, really want.
“Make sure that you gather enough information, you know, about the expectations, real expectations of your people. We will give you 30 to 60 days before the issue of supervisors or SLG will come about,” he said.
Speaking at the event, Sanwo-Olu issued a reminder to the newly elected chairmen, cautioning them against using public office for personal gain.
He emphasized that true leadership is measured by its impact on the lives of the people, not by the benefits it brings to the officeholder.
He challenged the chairmen to focus on grassroots development, highlighting their position as the closest tier of government to the people.
