The opposition in Lagos has criticised what it calls a “carefully scripted succession” in Agege Local Government after Abdul-Ganiyu Vinod Obasa, son of Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, assumed office as acting chairman.

Obasa, who served as vice chairman, stepped in after the council chairman, Hon. Tunde Azeez, went on medical leave barely a month after his swearing-in on July 26, 2025. His takeover has stirred controversy among opposition parties, who claim it reflects a pre-arranged political plan.

The immediate past Lagos State Chairman of the African Action Congress (AAC), Ayo Oni, said the development confirmed their earlier warnings about political manipulation in the July 12 local government elections.

“Everyone in Agege knew the Speaker wanted his son as chairman,” Oni said. “When there was opposition within the APC, they replaced him with another candidate and made his son the vice chairman. Now, conveniently, the chairman is sick, and the Speaker’s son has taken over.”

Oni alleged that the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) failed to conduct proper screening before the election. “We all knew the man presented as chairman was ill and couldn’t campaign. LASIEC should have verified his health status before clearing him,” he added.

He further described the local government system as “a mockery of democracy,” accusing the ruling party of treating councils as family estates. “What we have at the local level is not governance but political control,” he said.

However, within the All Progressives Congress (APC), Obasa’s emergence has been defended as a constitutional and necessary step. The Legal Adviser of the APC in Agege, Remi Bello, said Azeez formally notified the council’s legislators of his illness and delegated powers to his deputy in line with the law.

“The chairman is recuperating, and his deputy is only acting temporarily,” Bello said. “Since taking charge, the acting chairman has been performing well, commissioning projects, employing street cleaners, and engaging with community groups. There’s no cause for alarm.”

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said it was monitoring the situation but cautioned against drawing hasty conclusions. Engr. Awwal Tahir-Maude, a two-time chairmanship aspirant under the PDP, said: “Anybody can fall ill, and someone must act in their absence. But if we observe anything questionable, we will raise it.”

As Azeez’s medical leave extends, the opposition insists the transition exposes Lagos’ deep-rooted political dynasties. But the ruling party maintains that governance in Agege remains on course, regardless of who holds the gavel at the local level. (Daily Trust)