‘Law, not sentiment, governs,’ Lagos Assembly responds to Alimosho Chairman

The Lagos State House of Assembly has responded to statements made by the suspended Chairman of Alimosho Local Government Area, Jelili Sulaimon, and his legal counsel, Dr. Abdul Mahmud, emphasizing that the law should take precedence over sentiment and emotion in legislative matters.

In a statement signed by Hon. Stephen Ogundipe, Chairman of the Committee on Information, Strategy, and Security, the Assembly reiterated that its actions, including Sulaimon’s suspension, are fully backed by law. This reaction comes after Mahmud issued a statement condemning the Assembly’s unanimous decision to suspend Sulaimon during Monday’s plenary session.

Ogundipe clarified that the Assembly acted within its constitutional powers, grounded in Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), which grants State Houses of Assembly the authority to regulate local government councils.

He further referenced Sections 128 and 162 of the Constitution, which empower the Assembly to investigate and administer local government affairs, including suspending or removing officials.

“The law does not recognize emotions or self-serving interpretations. The Lagos State Local Government Administration Law, as amended, empowers the Assembly to suspend or remove local government officials after a thorough investigation,” Ogundipe said, citing Section 24(a) of the law.

The statement also criticized the Alimosho Local Government for hastily suspending Vice Chairman Akinpelu Johnson in response to the Assembly’s suspension of Sulaimon, noting that the local council has no legal provision to suspend its vice chairman.

“This rushed action is laughable and invalid. The law allows the removal of a chairman or vice chairman but outlines a clear process, which was not followed in this case,” Ogundipe remarked.

The Assembly urged the public not to be swayed by emotional rhetoric or misinformation, pointing out that Sulaimon’s suspension is based on legislative and legal principles, not political sentiment.

Ogundipe concluded by reminding citizens that the Assembly has suspended Sulaimon before, in 2021, for failing to adhere to local government guidelines.

The statement advised the suspended chairman and his lawyer to focus on the rule of law, rather than attempting to manipulate public opinion with incomplete legal arguments. The Lagos State House of Assembly, Ogundipe said, will continue to uphold the law in the best interests of Lagos residents.