The Lagos State Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs, and Rural Development has issued a letter of appointment to the newly appointed Chairman of Alimosho Local Government, Hon. Akinpelu Johnson.
Hon. Johnson received official approval from the ministry to take over as the new council chairman through a letter signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Kikelomo Bolarinwa, dated Oct. 8.
The appointment follows the suspension of the former Chairman of the council, Jelili Sulaimon, by the Lagos State House of Assembly.
The letter stated: “I write to refer to the resolution of the House of Assembly regarding the above subject, which states that Mr. Sulaimon Jelili has been suspended indefinitely from office as Chairman, Alimosho Local Government, in accordance with Section 24 (1,2,3,4) of the Local Government Administration Law (Amendment) Law, 2016. (A copy is attached for reference).”
“In light of the above, you are to assume duty IMMEDIATELY as the Acting Chairman, Alimosho Local Government.”
Recall that the Lagos State House of Assembly suspended Jelili Sulaimon on Monday following various allegations made by lawmakers.
The legislators resolved that Johnson should take over the administration of the council’s affairs. They further instructed the council’s management, including the manager and treasurer, to recognize Johnson and provide him with full support to ensure effective governance.
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Meanwhile, four out of the seven councillors in the council have denounced the purported suspension of Johnson by their three colleagues.
In a press release signed by the four councillors—Deputy Leader Mojisola Fabusuyi Ayeni (Ward D), Saheed Adejoke (Ward C), Rasheed Semiu (Ward E), and Elizabeth Fashina (Ward F)—they commended the House of Assembly for intervening and urged stakeholders in the council to continue their activities peacefully.
The statement, titled “Illegal Suspension of Hon. Akinpelu Ibrahim Johnson, Vice Chairman, Alimosho Local Government,” read in part:
“We, the undersigned legislators from Alimosho Local Government, officially dissociate ourselves from the staged, managed, and illegal suspension of Mr. Akinpelu Ibrahim Johnson, the Vice Chairman of Alimosho Local Government.
We strongly condemn the purported suspension of the Vice Chairman by a minority of legislators who acted on instructions from the validly suspended Chairman.
As representatives of our people from different wards in Alimosho, we remain committed to supporting the state and federal governments’ efforts to improve the lives and well-being of our people, particularly at the grassroots level.
We commend the State House of Assembly for its intervention in addressing the mismanagement of the local government over the years. We urge all stakeholders to remain calm, as there is no cause for alarm.
We would like to emphasize that, at no time, was the Vice Chairman suspended, and we are ready to support him in administering the Local Government moving forward.
As a man of the people, we are confident that Hon. Akinpelu Johnson will exceed expectations. We will keep the public informed of any further developments of interest.”
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