Appointment of Political Office Holders: Rights Group, HURMA Cautions Gov. Sanwo-Olu, Threatens Legal Action – Rights Monitors

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A mass based Human Rights and Anti-Corruption body with headquarters in Lagos State, the Human Rights Monitoring Agenda (HURMA Global Resource Initiative) has demanded urgent reversal of recent directive by Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, theExecutive Governor of Lagos State to restrict newly elected Local Council Chairpersons in the state from appointing political office holders, except for only Chief of Staff.

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HURMA in the letter signed by both the Executive Director of the organization, Comrade Buna Olaitan Isiak and Barrister Lekan Alabi, Head of legal team threatens legal action if Lagos governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu refuses to grant full administrative autonomy to the Local Government in Lagos State as an independent tier of government.The document titled:”

APPOINTMENT OF POLITICAL OFFICE HOLDERS:

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A Call to Reverse Directive of Restrictions on Local Govt and LCDAs From Appointing Political Office Holders and Grant Full Administrative Autonomy” reads:

“We write to urgently request the reversal of the recent directive by your authority directing all newly sworn-in chairmen of the 20 Local Governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) to suspend the appointment of political office holders, including Supervisors, Special Advisers, and Senior Special Assistants.

“This was contained in an official circular dated July 31, 2025, with reference number MLG/LGA/C.27/S./VOL.XIV/496, wherein the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Mrs. Kikelomo Bolarinwa, conveyed the directive in line with your directive during the recent swearing-in ceremony.

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“According to the widely published circular, only the appointment of Chief of Staff is permitted and Chairmen who might have made the political appointments beyond the Chief of Staff were instructed to reverse their action till further directives

“Our office considered the above directive recently given to all Local Government in the state as contradictory to the earlier Lagos government statement that “Local Government in the State have long operated with full financial and administrative independence, even before the Supreme Court’s July 2024 decision reinforcing Local Government autonomy nationwide”. This, therefore, calls for an immediate reversal for the general good of all.

“Nigeria practices a constitutional democracy whereby governments derive their powers from the constitution. May we draw your attention to the fact that the chairmen were duly elected by the people. Their existence is not at the pleasure of your office. In as much as the Federal Government doesn’t intervene in the exercise of power of your office despite the huge monthly allocation being received from the center, we find it awkward and clumsy that your authority is directing a democratically elected government on how the government is to be run.

“Lagos is supposed to be a model state and hallmark of democratic governance, not only in Nigeria but also in Africa. The Local Government should be allowed full independence in administering the local areas without any hindrance.As a public spirited organization, we may necessarily institute an action in a court of competent jurisdiction to challenge the undemocratic directive to the local governments”.

The document was as well made available to the office of the Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly and as well to the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in the state.

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