Residents of Lagos State south-west Nigeria have enjoined the newly elected Chairmen and Councillors to ensure Inclusive governance at the grassroot to further develop the state.
On Saturday July 12, 2025, Lagosians through the ballot choose the new leadership at the local government levels from the 20 local government and 37 local council development areas to run the affairs of the tier of government for the next three years.
In an interaction with Voice of Nigeria, residents said that local government remained the closest arm of government that should be more visible and approachable towards development of any entity.
A PR practitioner based in Lagos Island, Mr Bariu Abebefe said that it has become expedient for those elected to run the local communities to do it with due diligence..
“The fight for the local government autonomy by Nigerians is not for the Chairman or the Councillor of a local government alone to enjoy and make themselves financially comfortable, it was in a bid to create development for us all. We have exercised our franchise to elect them and to whom much is given, they say much is surely expected.” Abebefe said
According to the reports, the election was characterised by voters aparthy and this, some residents attributed to the inconsistencies exhibited by the past local government handlers, stressing that the new helmsmen should change the narratives for good.
Joe Montana is a resident of Ikeja local government “If you observe, many people did not come out to vote during the last local government election. It is because, they have not been living up to expectations, they only cater for themselves and their cronnies and this we think should be different this time around.”
Mrs Ajara Abiodun of Ikorodu Local government who was visibly elated that the All Progressives Congress, APC emerged victorious at the polls, said although the administration of Babajide Sanwo-Olu has done so much to develop the market environment and make it conducive for businesses to thrive, stressing that more local markets must be initiated to develop the economic base of the local government across the state.
She said “We want them to build more markets for us, build inner roads and ensuring that we are carried along in their programmes. We want to feel their impact.”
Meanwhile, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has thanked the residents of the state for ensuring peaceful Local Government Elections.
The Governor in a statement praised the electorates for their orderly conduct during the polls and expressed deep appreciation to residents who turned out to vote, saying that their participation was a vital contribution to sustaining democracy in the state.
The All Progressives Congress, APC clinched all the 57 chairmanship and vice chairmanship seats, as well as 375 councillorship positions, while People’s Democratic Party PDP secured a slot for councilorship seat in Yaba area of the state.
Confidence Okwuchi