Council elections are presumed to be fast approaching, as such players and political stakeholders are on the guise to outshine the next political gladiator. On the other hand, Ikosi-Isheri LCDA, lately, has been saddled with a lot of controversies, tussle amongst legislators ditto their Chairman.
The last dispute among the legislative house and the Chairman was resolved by the greater Kosofe leaders, as if the community hasn’t had enough, hence, the emergence of another hullabaloo.
Thursday, 18th of March, a source, who is gainfully employed with the CMD branch of Polaris Bank hinted Kosofe Inside-Out the receipt of a letter from the leader of the Ikosi-Isheri LCDA legislative house, Hon. Ajibola Usman, which sought the immediate suspension of the two council accounts domiciled at their branch.
Investigation revealed that Hon Ajibola took his decision, without the consent of the house, not even did a plenary sitting hold. This contravenes the Lagos State local government administrations act, which stipulates that ‘no councillor should take a decision without a properly formed quorum, at a plenary.’
Exactly when other legislative members found out the development, the council clerk was contacted to reach out to the leader to summon an emergency meeting, this was so deemed necessary, in other not to bring the activities of the council to a halt. Contrary to expectations, Hon. Ajibola didn’t respond to calls nor messages from the council clerk, nor his colleagues in the legislative chamber.
In order to bridge the lacuna imposed on the council by the leader, other councillors held a plenary, so as to resume the activities of the council, this is presumed to be in accordance with the constitution, which concludes that ‘in the absence of the leader and his deputy, any other member of the legislative chamber can preside over the activities of the council’ (legislative arm).
At the plenary session properly constituted due to quorum formed, house leader, Hon. Ajibola Usman and his deputy, Hon Akinpelu Folashade were suspended. Hon Adebola Olalekan representing Ikosi Oke (Ward C) was hereby nominated by the councillors present as the presiding officer, while the investigation into the misconduct of Hon Usman Akanni Ajibola and Hon Akinpelu Folashade is investigated.
The house leader and his deputy have also violated the Quorum rule of the Ikosi-Isheri LCDA standing order article 18 & 19, which prohibits subsequent discussions with certain staff of the council.
A media report termed the suspension as purported and unconstitutional, the reason the outfit failed to quote what the constitution stipulates on this matter is unfathomable. Lagos State local government administration laws have stated clearly what the position of the constitution is, the Ikosi-Isheri LCDA legislative arm also have a ‘code of conduct’ document which is duly signed by the same leader, Hon. Ajibola Usman, who contravenes it. Politics shouldn’t be played to the extent of contravening constitutional duties.
The event of the next few days would determine if the APC of Ikosi-Isheri, and by extension Lagos State would let the laws prevail over this matter or the powers of influence would amend this law, just the same way, the Lagos State electoral act was amended in 2017, just 24 hours to the election. If this happens, then, it becomes the habit of the All progressives Congress, to overrule the constitution, whenever it does not favour their narrative.
