Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Sunday, swore in the newly elected chairmen and deputies across the 57 Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas of the state.
The chairmen were elected during the council poll held on July 12th.
In the election, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) won all the chairmanship seats.
For the councilorship seats, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won a seat, while APC cleared the rest.
At the swearing in ceremony on Sunday, Sanwo-Olu described their emergence as a call to service and selfless leadership.
He charged them on grassroots development, transparent governance and accountability to the people.
To them , he said, “Your victory is not a trophy, it’s a mandate, and it comes with weighty expectations.”
According to him, the expectations include better roads, safer streets, functional healthcare facilities, thriving schools, modern markets, environmental sanitation, youth engagement, and inclusive governance.
He said their performances will be measured by the visibility of their actions.
Sanwo-Olu said Lagos State has stayed true to the LG autonomy and asked them to use the power wisely.
He said, “Today’s Lagos is not the Lagos of yesterday. We are a 21st Century mega-city, driven by the energy of over 24 million people.
This State is the economic engine of our nation.
“That energy must be matched at the local level with leadership that is bold, agile, inclusive, and deeply connected to the people.
“We are living through a new era of local government autonomy – fiscal and administrative independence now affirmed by the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
“Lagos has always led the charge in this regard. As Chairmen, you now have direct access to your council’s funds. With this comes direct accountability. No excuses. No finger pointing. The buck now stops with you.
“Use this autonomy wisely. Guard it with transparency. Let your tenure reflect not political entitlement, but public responsibility. Leadership must never be about personal gain; it must be about public impact.”
In his address, the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Kayode Robert congratulated the Chairmen, alongside the Vice Chairmen on their emergence — not only as the flagbearers of the party but as the candidates of choice across their respective Councils.
“Your victories at the polls are a testament to your grassroots appeal and the confidence the people have reposed in you.
The credibility of your emergence, anchored on transparency and broad-based support, is what has culminated in the swearing-in exercise we are gathered here to witness today.
“We must also express deep appreciation to our dear Governor; the Governor of Lagos State; Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, for his unwavering commitment to democracy at the grassroots.
Through his leadership, all necessary mechanisms were put in place to ensure a peaceful, transparent, and credible Local Government election; and by extension, we recognise and commend the father of modern democracy in Nigeria, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for laying the visionary foundation that continues to guide the growth of democratic institutions in our dear state and nation.”
Speaking on behalf of the newly sworn in chairmen and their deputies, the Chairman of Ibeju LCDA, Sesan Olowa thanked God for the day and the state, appreciating the governor and his deputy for their unwavering support and leadership.
He said that they were grateful to the party leaders and the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) members as well as the party members who mobilised during the election.
He promised that the chairmen and their vice will provide programme and projects that will further promote the party’s acceptance.
“We are fully ready for this task, we give you our words and we will not let you down.”
