A pro-democracy organization, the Progressive Group for Democracy (PGD), has raised concerns over an alleged attempt to extend the tenure of some local government chairpersons in Lagos State. At a press conference in Abuja, National Coordinator Aladesanmi Salawu warned that candidates in the Agbado Oke-Odo LCDA and Ikosi Isheri LCDA elections were not eligible to run, as they had assumed office following the death of their predecessors. He claimed that these candidates were now attempting to stay in power beyond the constitutionally allowed period.
Salawu emphasized the danger of such actions, drawing parallels with the anti-democratic forces that Nigeria’s heroes fought against during the June 12 struggle. He argued that these efforts to extend the tenure of the council chairmen were disguised as legal technicalities but were, in reality, a breach of the constitution. He pointed out that the Fourth Alteration Bill No. 16, which was signed into law by former President Buhari in 2018, clearly states that once someone has completed a term after succeeding a deceased officeholder, they cannot seek a third term.
The PGD leader also criticized the silence of Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and President Bola Tinubu, urging them to speak out against what he termed a “third-term agenda” in the local councils. He warned that failure to act would set a dangerous precedent for Nigeria’s democracy. The group called on the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) to disqualify all candidates seeking unconstitutional third terms and for those involved in Agbado Oke-Odo and Ikosi Isheri to withdraw immediately. The PGD emphasized that their demand was based on the existing constitutional framework, not a request for change.
