Breaking: Lagos Assembly Amends Law Creating State's Electoral Body ahead of Local Govt Elections
- The Lagos State House of Assembly has taken strong legislative action ahead of the state's local government elections
- The lawmakers amended a portion of the law that established the state's LASIEC to ensure local elections are well managed
- Olalekan Onafeko, the Clerk of the House, has been directed to pass the clean copy of the amendment to Governor Sanwo-Olu for assent
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Ikeja, Lagos - The Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday, June 21, reviewed and amended a portion of the law creating the state's electoral body, Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC).
A statement made available to Legit.ng by the state legislature indicates that the law was amended by creating a subsection for Section 2.
Source: Facebook
Legit.ng gathers the newly added subsection 5 gives the governor of the state the power to extend the tenure of the commission based on exigencies.
Amendment to address possible gaps
Victor Akande, the chairman of the Committee on Judiciary, Public Petitions and LASIEC, explained that the amendment is to resolve the lacuna that could occur between the period the tenures of the commission's members elapse and when new members are appointed by the governor.
Making the final submission, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, reiterated that the portion of the law was being amended to meet the exigencies of time.
He explained that the amendment is to ensure that the process leading to the effective conclusion of the local government election in Lagos state is not hampered as a result of the soon-to-end tenure of the members of LASIEC.
According to him, a legal extension of the tenure would help the members of the commission to effectively conclude the elections without violating the law.
The principal lawmaker, however, noted that an additional six months as suggested by the bill was too long since the period is simply meant to perfect fresh appointments.
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He recommended a three months reduction while also noting that the request for such extension should be subject to a review and approval of the House.
He directed the Clerk of the House, Olalekan Onafeko, to pass the clean copy to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for assent.
Legit.ng notes that the state assembly made the move ahead of the local government elections scheduled to hold in July.
Reactions trail amendment
A statement regarding the amendment posted on social media has been drawing reactions from Nigerians.
Muyiwa Likinyo said:
"Thank you my Rt Hon Speaker sir. The amendment is apt at this time."
Adeleke Adebusuyi said:
"I think a problem has been created for the future. The intentions might be noble, but the law can be weaponised by devious, self-serving leaders in future.
"I pray I am wrong for the good of Lagos!"
Kareem Mulikat Yetunde Yetunde said:
"The Speaking Speaker sir, we need to revisit the Law on dumping of refuse in Lagos State."
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Obasa speaks on secession agitations
In other news, the Lagos state assembly speaker, Obasa, has said that the federal government's plan to use force on secession agitators will not yield desired results.
Obasa, during the House's plenary on Tuesday, June 15, called on the government to make use of dialogue, instead of military might on the persons termed as secessionists.
The speaker, in a statement made available to Legit.ng, stated categorically that citizens have the right, in a democratic setting, to express their views on how they are being governed by their leaders.
Source: Legit.ng
