WHY OBASA'S POSITION ON ALIMOSHO CHAIRMAN CANNOT STAND

In a blatant abuse of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and a complete deviation from the Supreme judgement on Local Government autonomy, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa has made an embarrassing attempt to suspend the Executive Chairman of Alimosho Local Government, Hon Jelili Sulaimon following the Local Government's refusal to disobey the 1999 constitution and consequently assigned Iyana-Ipaja market unlawfully to one Abiodun Ejigbadero, a notorious land-grabber, a son to Chief Ejigbadero who was sentenced to death by the Supreme court in 1978 for the murder of Raji Oba.

Despite the fact that all odds are against the notorious land-grabber after he engineered the killing of Micheal Ajayi, a motorist during an attack of the Iyana-Ipaja market by his agents on 16th April 2024, simply because the local government authority who is rightfully in charge reassigned the market management to another agent.

While investigation has not been concluded by the Nigerian Police, Speaker Obasa whose interest is not of the people of Lagos State and specifically Iyana-Ipaja market, Alimosho and more importantly the family of late Micheal Ajayi focused only on how the market management must be reassigned to Abiodun Ejigbadero, the land-grabber and his ally by the local government authority.

In order to carry all stakeholders along, Alimosho Local Government authority held a Peace and Security on 29th April 2024 where all the stakeholders held that the market must not be assigned to Abiodun Ejigbadero due to his notorious activities and lack of interest for the development of Alimosho which has been clearly seen in the way he carry-out his activities in the past and his present atrocious behavior.

According to Fourth schedule of the 1999 constitution, "Establishment, maintenance and regulation of markets, motor parks and public conveniences" are part of the main functions of a local Government council. Therefore, whoever it is assigned to is solely and absolutely the decision of the local government authority. 

In line with this provision, the Legislative arm of Alimosho Local Government under the leadership of Hon Ahmed Obadina unanimously pronounced on 5th September 2024 that the Iyana-Ipaja market management should be administered solely and directly by the local government authority instead of assigning it to an agent. This resolution was sent to the Chairman and he complied immediately because it's the business of the local government.

Again, our constitution is very clear on the process of suspension of a duly elected government functionary. While the National Assembly is empowered by law to suspend the President or even impeach him, yet the  Chief Judge must still set up a panel to affirm the position.

In the case of the Governor, the House of Assembly is expected to carry out same process while the local government has the Legislative House to commence such process.

This fact was buttressed by the pronouncement of the Supreme Court in July 2024 on the local government autonomy. As a result, the pronouncement of Rt Hon Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa is a blatant Contempt of the Supreme Court judgement.

Besides, on 17th September 2024, the Legislative House of Alimosho Local Government, unanimously passed a vote of confidence on Alimosho Local Government Chairman, Hon Jelili Sulaimon, having carried out all his responsibilities in line with their guidelines and all provisions of the 1999 constitution.

As a result, the public are advised to go about their businesses lawfully as the Executive Chairman of Alimosho Local Government is fully incharge here and carrying out his duly elected assignment. 

©️ *Alimosho Local Government*