Press Releases

57 LGA/LCDAs: “Seek Redress In Court”, Lagos Traditional Rulers, Chiefs Advise Yar’adua

Jul 28, 2009 - Lagos State Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Tuesday rose up in support of the position of the State Government on the demand to revert the State to 20 Local Government Areas, advising President Umar Yar”Adua to seek redress in court instead of resorting to threats.

At a fully attended meeting at the Regency Hall, Ikeja, the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs, under the chairmanship of the Oba of Lagos, HRH Oba Riliwanu Akiolu 1, produced a 19 – point communiqué which they proceeded to handover to the State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) at the State House, Ikeja.

In it, the traditional rulers viewed the ultimatum to the Lagos State government as uncalled for and provocative in view of the fact that the Supreme Court had long ruled that the creation of the Local Council Development Areas was in order

Reminding the President that the issues involved were purely a matter of Law, the Traditional Rulers particularly frowned at the use of the word “Ultimatum” in the letter by the President especially under a Civilian Democracy, noting that the issues at stake do not call for display of power while such action portends a dictatorship in its entire ramification.

The Traditional Rulers and Chiefs observed with satisfaction that since the creation of the Local Council Development Areas in the State, the people of Lagos State have been experiencing the dividends of democratic governance at the grassroots, adding, “Government has been brought to the doorsteps of the people and massive developments are being witnessed in all the nooks and crannies of the State”.

They warned, “Any attempt at frustrating the existence of the 37 Local Council Development Areas would amount to slowing down the socio-economic development of Lagos State and a negation of the wishes and aspirations of the good people of Lagos”.

Noting that the action of the President would further heat up the polity which, according to them, is currently reeling under the crisis by the militants in the South-South and the on-going religious unrest in parts of Northern Nigeria as well as the almost total collapse of infrastructure in the country, the natural rulers advised the President not to allow himself to be used by those they referred to as “Political Jobbers” to create trouble where none exists.

The Communiqué further read, “As a confessed advocate of Rule of Law and a gentleman who grew up in Lagos, the meeting expected Mr. President to take actions aimed at getting the National Assembly to pass necessary consequential legislation to list the 37 Local Council Development Areas in the Constitution instead of resorting to threats and coercion”.

According to the natural rulers, “The 37 Local Council Development Areas were lawfully created by a Law validly made by the State House of Assembly and all required steps were taken before their creation”.

They advised the Presidency to “pay attention to the fast dilapidating Federal structures in Lagos State especially Federal Roads and should take steps to rehabilitate them instead of spoiling for a fight with the Lagos State Government which has been doing everything to maintain decaying infrastructure in the State”.

Appealing to both parties to pursue whatever grievances in the Law Court and work towards promoting a peaceful political climate not only in Lagos but in the country, the Rulers noted that the current impasse could lead to capital flight by investors in view of the fact that Lagos State is the commercial nerve centre of the nation.

The President, the Rulers urged, should concentrate on making life worth living for Nigerians through the provisions of social amenities especially energy which is necessary for driving any economy “instead of disturbing the peace of Lagos on an issue that had long been resolved by the Supreme Court”.

Praising Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) for the successes recorded so far and his untiring effort at developing Lagos State into an enviable Mega City, the Rulers expressed their total support for the Governor and his administration in working assiduously towards maintaining and developing the 20 Local Government and 37 Local Council Development Areas in the State.

In an interview shortly after the meeting, the Oba of Lagos again advised President Yar’Adua not to allow bad advisers to destabilize his government and the country pointing out that the ultimate aim of those prodding him to fight Lagos State is to pull his administration down.

Oba Akiolu who recalled that from inception the people of Lagos have been solidly behind the President and have continually prayed for his success, however declared, “Lagos people are calm, loving and peaceful, but we are at the same time no nonsense people”.

According him, “We have benefitted tremendously through the democratic setting of the Local Council Development Areas which the Almighty God gave us through the Governor and anything that will obstruct the peaceful co-existence of the Lagos people will be resisted”.

And earlier, while presenting the communiqué to Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) at the Lagos House Ikeja, Oba Akiolu declared, “Lagos people are peaceful, accommodating and loving yet we cannot tolerate nonsense. Nobody can capture Lagos”.

While receiving the communiqué, Governor Fashola thanked the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs for their response to the issues which, according to him, “cause concern among our people”.

“I urge you and all the people you represent to continue in the usual peaceful and harmonious manner that has been the characteristic of our State and I assure you that in this civic issue, I believe that reason will prevail because this is a matter that has been dealt with within the ambit of the Law” the Governor said.