Kunle Adelabu
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has sworn-in the newly elected chairmen and vice chairmen across the 57 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) of the State.
Sanwo – Olu, who spoke at the swearing-in ceremony held at the Sports Ground, Lagos House, Ikeja, on Sunday, described the emergence of the new chairmen as a call to service and selfless leadership. He charged them on grassroots development, transparent governance and accountability to the people.
Recall that all the 57 council Chairmen were elected at the July 12 council poll on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to the Governor, expectations of the people include basic infrastructures, good environment and security among others.
“Distinguished Chairmen and Vice chairmen, you are now custodians of great trust that the people have placed in your hands. These are not just votes but their dreams. Their expectations are clear: better roads, safer streets, functioning health centres, thriving schools, modern markets, environmental sanitation, youth engagement, and community security.
“These are not abstractions; they are daily necessities. And your performance will be measured not by the eloquence of your speeches but by the visibility of your actions.
“Lagos is counting on you to bring development to every street, every ward, every community. Let the THEMES+ agenda of our administration comes alive in your domains.
“Translate our vision in Transportation, Health, Education, Environment, Security and Social Inclusion into projects that impact lives. Let rural communities feel the presence of the government. Let our riverine and underserved areas know that they too are not forgotten. Governance must be inclusive, equitable, and people-centered.
“Your success is our success. The State Government stands firmly with you. We will support you. We will work with you. But we will also hold you to the highest standards. There will be no tolerance for underperformance. Those who betray the people’s trust will be held accountable. Lagos deserves nothing less”, the Governor said.
While urging them to use the autonomy well, Sanwo – Olu also emphasized that their will be no excuses for failure.
“We are living through a new era of local government autonomy—fiscal and administrative independence now affirmed by the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Lagos has consistently taken the lead in this regard. As chairmen, you now have direct access to your council’s funds. With this comes direct accountability. No excuses. No finger pointing. The buck now stops with you. Nigerian history books.
“Use this autonomy wisely. Guard it with transparency. Let your tenure reflect not political entitlement, but public responsibility. Leadership must never be about personal gain; it must be about public impact”, he said.
Speaking at the event, the state’s Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Bolaji Robert, congratulated the council chairmen on their emergence. He added that the election results reflected public confidence in the newly elected leaders.
“Your victories at the polls are a testament to your grassroots appeal and the confidence the people have reposed in you. The credibility of your emergence, anchored on transparency and broad-based support, is what has culminated in the swearing-in exercise we are gathered here to witness today”.
He commended the Governor of Lagos State, for his unwavering commitment to democracy at the grassroots, and also President Bola Tinubu, for laying the visionary foundation that continues to guide the growth of democratic institutions in Lagos State and the nation at large
Speaking on behalf of the newly sworn in Chairmen and their deputies, the Chairman of Ibeju-Lekki LGA, Mr Sesan Olowa, expressed gratitude to the governor for creating an enabling environment and for his continued support for local governance.
He also appreciated the Governor and his deputy, party leaders and members, for the opportunity given to them to serve, while promising that they would work committedly to deliver on their promises.
“We are fully ready for this task, we give you our words and we will not let you down”.
Some of the government functionaries at the swearing – in were Lagos First Lady, Dr (Mrs) Claudia Ibijoke Sanwo – Olu, Deputy Governor, Dr Hamzat Obafemi, Speaker, Lagos State Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Obasa, Chairman, GAC, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, former Deputy Governor, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, former Deputy Governor, Otunba Femi Pedro, Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun, GAC chieftain, Sen. Adesye Ogunlewe, GAC chieftain, Sen. Anthony Adefuye, GAC chieftain, Sen. Ganiyu Solomon, APC State Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, APC State Secretary, Dr. Adeola Jokomba, and former Minister for Tourism, Mrs Lola Ade John.
There were also traditional rulers, members of the House of Representatives, Lagos Assembly, Lagos Executive Council among others.
