The financial hit will run into billions of naira, but the worst pain will be felt by the struggling poor who need “today’s hustle for tonight’s meal.”
And for what? Local-government elections whose results we already know. You don’t need AI, spreadsheets or a crystal ball to predict that the APC will claim every chairmanship and councillorship seat in Lagos.
If we witness a miracle, the opposition might scrape one or two wards—but history says otherwise.
Nor is this only a Lagos story. Pick any state: when the PDP controls the governor’s office, the PDP “wins” every council. Same for LP, NNPP, APGA—whoever sits in Government House takes it all.
Local polls in Nigeria have become an expensive ritual, a rubber-stamp exercise that empties the treasury and wastes citizens’ time.
Imagine diverting even a fraction of tomorrow’s election budget. We could patch leaking roofs in some primary schools, buy desks for some pupils who now learn sitting on bare floors, or stock community clinics with basic medicines. Instead, we bankroll a performance whose ending is already scripted.
Enough. Let’s scrap the State Independent Electoral Commissions and hand council elections back to INEC. For all its imperfections, INEC at least produces mixed results: no one party owns every governorship or every seat in the National Assembly.
Nine hours of economic paralysis for a foregone conclusion is bad governance, not democracy. Our democracy deserves better than predictable coronations.
A democracy that shuts down its economic engine to rubber-stamp power is no democracy at all. It’s time to end the farce and insist on elections that mean something—or spend the money where it can actually change lives.
APC Tinubu achievements publicity push gains momentum as Governor Oyebanji urges party leaders to highlight federal policies and reforms at grassroots level(more…)
The Lagos State House of Assembly has unanimously adopted a resolution endorsing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bid for a second term in office, citing landmark reforms and achievements recorded under his administration and pledging to mobilise resources to ensure his re-election.
The motion was moved by Hon. Oladipo Ajomale, representing Oshodi-Isolo Constituency II, during plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, on Tuesday, April 28.
After Hon. Ajomale’s motion, the legislators, one after the other, rose to trumpet the significant strides made under Tinubu’s leadership. They pointed to the removal of fuel subsidy, a bold reform that has saved the nation trillions of naira annually and redirected funds into infrastructure and social welfare. They also commended the unification of exchange rates, which has boosted transparency and attracted foreign investment inflows, stabilising the economy and restoring investor confidence.
The lawmakers praised the establishment of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which has expanded access to higher education for millions of Nigerian youths. They noted that this initiative has provided unprecedented opportunities for students from disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue their academic dreams without financial barriers.
Infrastructure development was also a major talking point. Members cited the rehabilitation of refineries and the expansion of major projects, such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road and the Sokoto-Badagry corridor. These projects, they argued, are not only improving connectivity across the country but also creating jobs and stimulating local economies.
Economic diplomacy under Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda was lauded, with lawmakers referencing the billions of dollars in foreign direct investment commitments secured from the United Kingdom, United States, and other global partners. They stressed that these investments are critical to Nigeria’s long-term growth and industrialisation agenda.
Food security initiatives were equally acknowledged. The Assembly noted the removal of import duties on rice and wheat, alongside the release of grain reserves to cushion the impact of inflation on households. These measures, they said, demonstrate the administration’s responsiveness to the needs of ordinary Nigerians.
Speaker Obasa, in his closing remarks, affirmed that the resolution reflects Lagos’ leadership role among state legislatures nationwide. He declared that President Tinubu’s administration has delivered “tangible and impactful achievements” across sectors.
“From stabilising our economy through subsidy reforms to empowering our youths with education loans, President Tinubu has renewed the hope of Nigerians. Lagos, as a pace-setter, stands firmly behind his second-term bid. If other political parties want to contest, they must first tell Nigerians what they achieved when given the chance to govern,” Obasa stated.
The Speaker emphasised that the endorsement was not merely symbolic but a demonstration of the Assembly’s unity and commitment to progress. He noted that Lagos has always been at the forefront of legislative innovation and political leadership, and this resolution further cements its role as a trailblazer among state assemblies.
In a related development, the Assembly confirmed new appointments within its administrative ranks. Mrs. Adenike Oshinowo, formerly Deputy Clerk, was announced as the new Clerk of the House, making history as the first female to occupy the position. Her appointment was described as a recognition of her dedication and years of service to the Assembly.
Other confirmations included Mr. Olaosebikan Ebenezer, former Deputy Director, Legislative, as Deputy Clerk; Mrs. Latifat Ogbara as substantive Chairman of the Lagos State House of Assembly Service Commission (LAHASCOM), Mr. Remi Bello as Commissioner in LAHASCOM, and Mrs Adeola Victoria Modupe as Secretary to the Commission. These appointments, according to the Speaker, strengthen the Assembly’s administrative capacity and underscore its commitment to effective governance.
The Speaker congratulated the appointees and urged them to discharge their duties with diligence and integrity. He stressed that the Assembly’s administrative reforms will enhance efficiency and ensure that the legislature continues to serve the people of Lagos effectively.
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