Osun assembly passes bills to allow LGA chairpersons appoint administrators for LCDAs

The Osun house of assembly has passed the bills amending some sections of the state laws on electoral commission and administration of LGAs.

The amended bills are the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (amendment 1), 2024, and the Osun State Local Government Areas (creation and administration) (amendment 7), 2024.

The amended bills passed the third reading during the plenary on Tuesday.

Adewale Egbedun, the speaker of the Osun house of assembly, said the bills would be sent to Ademola Adeleke, governor of the state, for his assent.

In a statement, Olamide Tiamiyu, chief press secretary (CPS) to Egbedun, said the amended bills were initiated to align the state laws with the recent judgment of the supreme court on LGA autonomy.

Tiamiyu said the new legislation confers elected LGA chairpersons with the power to appoint “chief administrators” into the local council development areas (LCDAs) and the six area councils in their respective jurisdictions.

“The Osun State Independent Electoral Commission Bill seeks to regulate the state’s electoral body to conduct elections in the recognised 30 local government areas,” the statement reads.

“It also empowers the elected local government chairmen to appoint chief administrators into the Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) and the six area councils within their respective jurisdictions.

“Furthermore, the Local Government Creation and Administration Bill provides the elected local government chairmen with the authority to make appointments that will enable them to effectively discharge their duties.

“The chief administrators appointed to the LCDAs and area councils will work closely with the chairmen and report back to them.

“The passage of these bills is seen as a significant step towards strengthening the autonomy and decision-making capabilities of local governments in Osun state.

“The legislation will now be sent to the state’s executive governor for assent.

“This move aligns with the recent Supreme Court judgment that upheld the constitutional provisions for local government autonomy, granting them more financial and administrative independence from state governments.”

In February, the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSEIC) announced that elections for chairpersons and councillors in the 30 LGAs, six development councils, and one area council will take place on February 22, 2025.

In July, supreme court ruled that the federal government should henceforth pay allocations directly to LG councils.

The seven-member panel of justices held that state governments have continued to abuse their powers by retaining and using the funds meant for LGAs.

The apex court also ordered the federal government to withhold allocations of LGAs governed by unelected officials.

Due to the supreme court verdict, some states have been racing to conduct LGA elections.