Kunle Adelabu
Following the decision of the Councilors representing the five Wards of the Ikorodu West Local Council Development Area, in the Legislative Arm of the council, there have been mixed reactions from residents who are divided over the constitutionality and moral justification of the council’s lawmakers’ actions.
The aggrieved Councilors had on Monday, January 20,2020, locked out the Council Chairman, Hon. (Princess) Jumoke Ademehin, over the allegations of lack of performance, failure to pay their entitlements, deduction of taxes from their salaries without remitting same among others.
The embattled Council Chairman, reacting to the allegations, stated that her administration has embarked on many projects and also added that she has been affected by lack of funding.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State House of Assembly, party leaders and Conference 57 have all intervened and resolved the matter between the two warring parties.
In a story titled, ‘Councilors Lock-Out Ikorodu West LCDA’s Chairman Over Lack of Performance’, which went viral on social media platforms related to Ikorodu Division on Monday (yesterday), some of the residents that commented challenged the constitutionality of the Council lawmakers to lock-out the Chairman, some others raised the issue or morality while others made comments in support of the Councilors’ action.
Tayo Odesanya, a social media commentator, public analyst and the administrator of Frank Forum, a popular WhatsApp platform, in his comment, stated:
“How constitutional is that? This is what obtains when you promote mediocrity in the name of party politics. Should they resort to thuggery if they perceived that the Chairman is not performing or visit the constitution for available appropriate actions? What a shame”, he stated while expressing his disappointment over the Councilors’ action.
He then called on the councilors to exercise their constitutional power and impeach the Council Chairman if they are sure that she has committed any breach.
“How about the impeachment option?”, he asked rhetorically.
The State Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Lagos State and a legal practitioner, Barr. Kayode Alabu, while reacting to one of the contributors’ comments, challenged the Councilor’s constitutional power to lock-out the embattled Council Chairman.
“It is clearly stated there that the Councillors had written several petitions. Even the erstwhile commissioner was said to be involved in trying to resolve the issues. What else do you want them to do other than to protest openly?” he asked.
“They are elected and they owe their constituents explanations………The freedom to protest is constitutionally guaranteed to all without regard to office…….Even Aisha Buhari protested”, he added.
Deji Osho,JP, and former Supervisory Councilor in Ikorodu Local Government, also contributing, stated that the Councilors should handle the matter through constitutional means.
“They should have channeled their grievances through legitimate means”.
A member of the ruling party, APC, Chief Awomodu Lookman, was of the opinion that the only option available for the Councilors is to impeach the Council Chairman if it they cannot lock her out of the Council.
“Which legitimate means?.
“What legitimate means do a Councilor has to deal with the executive chairman than impeachment?”
Otunba Afolabi Babatunde, a traditionalist, social media commentator and senor Local Government official, in his own reaction, challenged the legal and moral justification of the Council lawmakers to lock out the Chairman.
“Is locking out the Executive chairman legal either?” he asked.
“Are the Councilors too clean?” The crisis is on sharing calculus…”.
Mr Bashexy Oluwakemi Hassan, a Senor Legislative Aide at the National Assembly, Abuja, also challenged the action of the legislators on moral ground.
He did not minced words by saying that Ikorodu West LCDA’s Councilors are equally guilty of lack of performance.
“Are the councilors performing? Clowns everywhere…” he said.
“If locking the office is the way forward for lack of performance… Then all of them should be locked out…”, he added.
“I hope Ikorodu West LCDA people can see very well…. The fight is for their own personal interest as against the general interest… 2021 is around the corner.
“And as for the Madam (Hon. Ademehin), even if this is the last political office you are aspiring for… You should not spoil your reputation…. Everything count..” he advised.
Prince Ganny Awobajo, Publisher of the Ikorodu News, also contributing, stated:
“Locking out the chairman of the LCDA is not a legal means to remove her, the Councilors should note that”.
