The AAC also criticised the bill's attempt to control LGA governance, particularly by limiting the power of council chairmen to appoint their Chiefs of Staff.
The African Action Congress (AAC) Lagos State Chapter has condemned a proposed bill before the Lagos State House of Assembly, which seeks to undermine the autonomy and democratic governance of Local Government Councils (LGAs).
This was contained in a statement signed by the AAC Publicity Secretary, Osetohamhen Ebhohon, on Friday, who also mentioned that the bill had allegedly reached its second reading.
The party expressed its discontent over the rumoured bill’s implications for local government financial autonomy, stating,
"It is rumoured that the Lagos State Government is displeased that the Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) are now to be funded by the state government following the Supreme Court ruling on financial autonomy."
The AAC also criticised the bill's attempt to control LGA governance, particularly by limiting the power of council chairmen to appoint their Chiefs of Staff.
The party emphasised, “The Lagos State Government reportedly plans to change the fact and the position of the Council Chairmen having been empowered by the Supreme Court judgment to appoint Chiefs of Staff by the mentioned proposed bills.”
One of the AAC's concerns revolved around the change from a three-year term for council chairmen to a four-year term, with the elimination of transition government practices at the local level.
The party stated, "Sitting Council Chairmen are now barred from taking oaths of office three years per term as against four years per term, which enhance the practice of transition government at the local level."
Additionally, the AAC warned about the consequences of the bill in the event of a chairman's removal or death, highlighting the provision for vice chairmen to inherit the office.
"If a Chairman-elect dies before being sworn in or is found wanting for any reason, the Vice Chairman-elect will automatically inherit the Certificate of Return," the statement read.
The AAC insisted that this bill undermines the Supreme Court’s ruling, which guarantees LGA autonomy.
"We want to inform the Lagos State Government and the State House of Assembly that the rumoured proposed bill and the continuous existence of LCDAs don’t just undermine the Supreme Court ruling."
They called on the state government and the House of Assembly to come clean on the rumoured bill and emphasized their readiness to take legal action or protest if necessary.
"We hereby call on the State Government and The House of Assembly to come out openly to clear the air surrounding the rumoured bills. We will not only take legal action, but we are also going to take to the street with our members and well-meaning Lagos State residents until the same is reversed."
In their statement, the AAC urged other political parties and civil society organizations to join the protest against the bill. They called on Lagos residents to reject the proposed legislation, which they believe represents a dangerous erosion of democratic governance.
The AAC concluded by reaffirming their commitment to safeguarding local government autonomy and democratic principles, vowing to fight against any further attempts by the state government to violate the Nigerian Constitution.