A political crisis is brewing in Apapa Local Government Area of Lagos State as the council chairman, Senbanjo Idowu Adejumoke, has reportedly refused to swear in a list of supervisory councillors and the Secretary to the Local Government (SLG) forwarded to council chairmen across the state.
The development has sparked concern among party stakeholders and government officials, who fear that the situation could undermine governance at the grassroots level.
The Lagos State Government, through the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, recently transmitted a list of supervisors and key council officials to local government chairmen across the state to enable them constitute their executive teams and fully commence administrative activities.
While many council chairmen have complied with the directive by swearing in the nominated officials, the situation in Apapa has taken a controversial turn.
Investigations revealed that Adejumoke has refused to swear in the Secretary to the Local Government and several supervisors included in the list, despite reported pressure from the state government to implement the directive.
Sources within the political structure in Apapa disclosed that the chairman is currently running the council with only two supervisors whom she reportedly prefers to work with.
The list of supervisors and the SLG, according to insiders, was compiled by party leaders and influential stakeholders who played significant roles in the political process that produced Adejumoke as chairman
However, the chairman has reportedly rejected the arrangement, insisting that she will not work with officials she considers politically imposed on her administration.
Observers within the party have strongly criticised the development, describing the refusal to swear in the officials as a troubling act capable of disrupting administrative coordination and undermining party discipline.
Many stakeholders believe that ignoring a directive aimed at stabilising local government administration could create unnecessary tension within the party and slow down governance in the council.
Political watchers say the decision by Senbanjo Idowu Adejumoke to run the council with a skeletal executive structure raises serious questions about administrative effectiveness and respect for established political processes.
They warn that allowing such a standoff to persist could set a dangerous precedent where local government administrations operate outside the framework agreed upon by the party and the state authorities.
With the chairman maintaining her stance and refusing to swear in the SLG and other supervisors, Apapa Local Government is currently operating with a limited executive structure, a situation many stakeholders believe is unhealthy for effective governance.
Observers say the development has now placed the spotlight firmly on Adejumoke’s leadership, as party leaders and government authorities are expected to determine the next steps if the impasse continues
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