The Lagos State House of Assembly has urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to immediately instruct the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) to conduct bye-elections to replace councillors who died shortly after assuming office.
The call was made on Thursday during plenary following a motion raised under personal explanation by Nureni Akinsanya, who represents Mushin Constituency I. Akinsanya told the House that several local councils across the state have been left without representation due to the untimely deaths of elected councillors.
According to him, vacancies currently exist in Ibeju-Lekki, Somolu, and Mushin Local Government areas, leaving affected wards without voices in their respective legislative councils.
Akinsanya highlighted the cases individually, noting that Mrs Oluwakemi Rufai, councillor representing Ward C in Ibeju-Lekki, died on August 13, 2025 just 17 days after her inauguration. She was the only female member of the council at the time.
He also recalled the death of Zainab Shotayo, the Chief Whip and councillor for Ward C3 in Odiolowo-Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area, who passed away on August 18, 2025, barely three weeks into her tenure.
In Somolu, Akinsanya said Basirat Mayabikan, councillor representing Ward F, died on September 21, 2025, just 56 days after being sworn in as part of the 10th legislative arm of the council.
He appealed to the Assembly to intervene urgently, stressing that continued delays in filling the vacant seats would deny residents effective grassroots representation.
Supporting the motion, Kazeem Esho of Mushin Constituency II confirmed that a similar situation existed in his constituency, where a councillor had died without any replacement. He joined the call for immediate action to restore democratic representation at the local level.
Another lawmaker, Kehinde Joseph from Alimosho Constituency II, proposed that the Assembly formally notify Governor Sanwo-Olu and LASIEC in writing to commence the process for bye-elections. He also urged the House to send condolence messages to the families of the deceased councillors.
Ruling on the matter, Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa, directed members to observe a minute of silence in honour of the departed councillors, as well as the late Oba of Badagry.
Obasa further instructed the Clerk of the House, Olalekan Onafeko, to formally convey the Assembly’s resolution to the governor, reinforcing the call for LASIEC to organise fresh elections in the affected wards.
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