The erstwhile chairman of Alimosho Local Government in Lagos State, Jelili Sulaimon, has said that the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, lacks the constitutional right to suspend him from office.
SaharaReporters reported on Monday that the Lagos State House of Assembly indefinitely suspended Mr Sulaimon as the Chairman of Alimosho LGA.
It was reported that the House took the decision during Monday’s plenary session, after lawmakers voted unanimously to remove Sulaimon over allegations of misconduct and defiance of the legislative House.
The House in a statement published on its website titled “Breaking: Lagos Assembly Suspends Alimosho Council Chairman,” directed the Vice Chairman, Mr. Akinpelu Johnson, to assume control of the council’s affairs.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Local Government Administration and Chieftaincy Affairs, Sanni Okanlawon, who moved the motion for suspension, reportedly said, “It is evident that Jelili Sulaimon has continuously disregarded this House’s authority and failed to comply with directives, showing blatant misconduct. We cannot stand by and allow such chaos to persist.”
Okanlawon also highlighted the unrest that occurred in the Iyana-Ipaja axis in April 2024, which led to the death of a civilian.
“Following our investigation into the unfortunate pandemonium that broke out, it was clear that Sulaimon masterminded the incident. He has since refused to cooperate with this House’s inquiries,” he added.
On Tuesday SaharaReporters that Lagos State Government had made u-turn and directed Alimosho Vice Chairman Mr Akinpelu Johnson, to wait for the governor’s approval to replace the suspended chairman.
However, in a statement made available to SaharaReporters on Wednesday, titled: “You Lack The Power To Suspend Me, Jelili Fires Back At Lagos Speaker,” Sulaimon described his purported suspension as an abuse of due process.
According to the statement, the embattled chairman stated this at the council Secretariat during a public address of the electorates and residents of the council area on October 8, 2024.
The statement quoted Hon Jelili as had said, “Just as the National Assembly cannot suspend a State Governor, the State Assembly lacks the right to suspend a local government Chairman.
“Only the Legislative arm of the council can suspend the Executive Chairman of a local Government following due process.”
He added that there was no time the Lagos State House of Assembly wrote the Council that it was not responded to duly.
“So, he wonders why such step should be taken simply because the Speaker, Rt Hon Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa wants to force the council to contract the market levy collection to Abiodun Ejigbadero who is in the middle of the crisis that took place at Iyana-Ipaja market in April 2024 and which led to the death of Micheal Ajayi.
“He therefore encouraged Alimosho residents to go about their lawful businesses without fear and favour. As well as encouraged the House of Assembly to retrace her steps as something cannot be built on nothing.” (SaharaReporters)
