The Lagos State House of Assembly marked World Parliamentary Day at the plenary on Tuesday, emphasizing the essential role of parliaments in promoting democracy and accountability.

This annual observance, initiated by the United Nations to commemorate the establishment of the Inter-parliamentary Union in 1989 on every June 30, provides lawmakers with an opportunity to reflect on the importance of legislative bodies in society.

Deputy Majority Leader Hon. Adedamola Richard Kasunmu, who initiated the motion, stressed the need for inclusive and transparent democratic structures. He pointed out that these structures are vital in addressing challenges such as inequality, political polarization, climate change, and threats to democratic norms. “Increasing public engagement in parliamentary processes and enhancing civic education are crucial in rebuilding trust between citizens and governance,” Kasunmu stated, calling for measures to protect legislative independence.

Hon. Oladipo Ajomale echoed this sentiment, expressing that World Parliamentary Day is often under-celebrated. He proposed that future observances be formally recognized within the House to raise awareness while commending Speaker Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Obasa for his dedication and experience.

Hon. Desmond Elliott paid tribute to Nigeria’s legislative forbears, emphasising the importance of recognising their contributions. He suggested that the Conference of Speakers of Legislatures of Nigeria should strengthen inter-regional cooperation to enhance legislative effectiveness.

In a collective stance, all lawmakers acknowledged that the role of parliament extends beyond lawmaking, advocating for the inclusion of the Lagos State House of Assembly in national programs aimed at strengthening democracy through effective governance.

The Assembly, therefore, congratulated key national leaders, including Senate President Sen. Godswill Akpabio, GCON, Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abass, GCON, and their Speaker, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Mudashiru Obasa, for their contributions to nation-building.

In his submission, Speaker Obasa described the parliament as the backbone of democracy and vital to state development. He harped on the need for greater public understanding of the legislature’s role and reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to democratic values, urging parliamentarians to actively promote sustainable governance.

In a related development, the Assembly has invited the Commissioner of Justice and Attorney-General, Lawal Pedro SAN, Solicitor- General, Mr. Ahmed Oyenuga, Commissioner for Local government, Bolaji Roberts and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs; and Director of Litigation to appear before the House to clarify matters regarding an Executive Order following the Governor’s assent to an existing law.

This summon followed a letter forwarded to the House by the Solicitor-General and read by the Clerk during plenary. The letter, titled “Lagos State Government: Commencement Order, Local Government Administration Law 2025,” pertains to the recent conduct of the APC Local Government Primary election in the state, and mandates that the Local Government Administration Law should not take effect until August 4th, 2025.

Describing the Executive Order as delicate and sensitive, Chairman of the Committee on Local Government Administration, Chieftaincy Affairs, and Rural Development, Hon. Sanni Ganiyu Babatunde, expressed concern that any attempt to vary the law would undermine legislative duties, asserting, “The sanctity of the law should be respected.”

Hon. Oladipo Ajomale, Chairman of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, Public Petitions, and LASIEC, expressed his surprise at the Order, noting that the law in question has already been public since the day of the Governor’s assent in May, questioning the sudden turnaround.

Hon. Sa’ad Olumoh reiterated that no Executive Order can override a valid law that has already been assented to by the governor.

Responding, Speaker Obasa highlighted that this situation provided an opportunity to test the spirit of the law, emphasizing that if a law is challenged, it is crucial to examine the legislative process to determine if lawmakers acted correctly. He noted that the process of lawmaking concludes with the governor’s assent and that any law not assented to can be brought back to the Assembly.

Additionally, the House received a letter from Otto-Awori Local Council Development Area regarding the “Swearing in of Hon. Abdulkareem Azeez Abioun as the substantive Executive Chairman of Otto-Awori Local Council Development Area.” The letter outlines that following the demise of the former chairman, Prince Musibau Ashafa, the vice chairman is to succeed him, per the law, to ensure continuity and stability in governance. However, questions arose regarding the vice chairman being addressed as the active chairman, raising concerns about adherence to the rule of law at the local government level.

Consequently, the Local Government requested the Assembly to investigate and ensure that Mr. Azeez Abiodun is sworn in as the Chairman of Otto Awori LCDA to prevent any break down of law and maintain order in the state.

Speaker Obasa subsequently directed the Clerk, Barr. Olalekan Onafeko, to write to the Governor to inform him of these developments, and also invite the council Manager, and legal officers to appear before the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

Plans to unveil the African Democratic Congress as a united political front for the opposition were disrupted on Wednesday when the venue unexpectedly cancelled a fully paid reservation just hours before the event.

The event, which was set to take place at the Wells Carlton Hotel and Apartments in Asokoro, Abuja, was intended to officially present the ADC as the coalition platform to rival the ruling All Progressives Congress in the 2027 general elections.

However, the organisers were notified on Wednesday morning that the hotel would no longer host the programme due to an unspecified “internal compliance matter.”

A screenshot of the hotel’s message shared on Instagram by media personality and politician Dele Momodu stated, “Dear Esteemed Patron, Thank you once again for choosing the Wells Carlton Hotel and Apartments
We sincerely regret to inform you that due to an internal compliance matter that has just come to our attention, we are unable to proceed with hosting your scheduled event.
We are fully aware that the event is less than 24 hours away, and we deeply apologise for the timing and inconvenience this may cause.”

The cancellation sparked strong reactions from opposition leaders, with Momodu accusing the move of being politically motivated.

“The intimidation of opposition by a jittery government continues as the booking of a venue for the unveiling of the adopted party, ADC, by the coalition has been unilaterally and suddenly cancelled by the Management of the hotel due to what insiders described as fear of reprisals from APC operatives.
But this will not dampen the daredevil determination of opposition forces who are poised to hotly challenge the ruling party,” Momodu said.

In a statement included in Momodu’s post, Salihu Lukman, representing People and Passion Consult Ltd, criticised the hotel for breaching a valid agreement.

“This is unacceptable. Your management has no right to unilaterally sabotage a contract validly and legally agreed to and fully paid for. You must meet the terms of the contract fully by allowing the event to hold with full compliments of all the services agreed to. This is not negotiable,” Lukman said.

The unveiling was expected to bring together key political figures from different parties, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President David Mark, and ex-governors Aminu Tambuwal, Sule Lamido, Liyel Imoke, and Sam Egwu.

Other expected attendees included Labour Party’s Peter Obi, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and former Minister Rotimi Amaechi.

A faction within the African Democratic Congress has opposed the decision by the opposition coalition to adopt the party.

In a statement released by Musa Isa Matara, the faction’s national publicity secretary, the group emphasized that the party is not a “private coalition platform” meant to be taken over by elite figures.

Matara said key party stakeholders—including state executives, youth and women leaders, and ward coordinators—were not consulted prior to the announcement.

“We warn those coming into the ADC as part of this imposed arrangement to tread carefully. Be mindful that some few individuals are attempting to sell out the soul of our party for personal gain,” the statement said.

“The ADC is not for sale. It belongs to its members, not political merchants or elite dealmakers.”

BACKGROUND

On Tuesday, a group of opposition politicians and some ADC members gathered in Abuja for a meeting.

Present at the meeting were former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, David Mark, former senate president; Sule Lamido, ex-governor of Jigawa; Uche Secondus, former PDP national chairman; Babangida Aliyu, former governor of Niger; Sam Egwu, former governor of Ebonyi; Aminu Tambuwal, former governor of Sokoto; and Liyel Imoke, former governor of Cross River.

Following the meeting, the opposition figures adopted the ADC as their coalition platform and appointed Mark and Rauf Aregbesola, former Osun governor, as interim national chairman and secretary respectively.

Bolaji Abdullahi, a former sports minister, was named as the spokesperson for the coalition.

Responding to the development, Matara reiterated that party stakeholders—including the state executives, youth and women leaders, and ward coordinators—had been excluded from the process.

He stressed that while the party is not against a coalition, it stands firmly against “hijack and imposition”.

He added that the appointments had not been approved by either the party’s national executive committee or a national convention, rendering them invalid.

“The claim that the ADC has become the ‘platform of the National Opposition Coalition Group’ is misleading,” the statement continued.

“Our millions of members have not been informed or carried along in this so-called coalition.

“If anyone is attempting to force an opposition merger without grassroots consent, they are trampling on democratic ethics and party sovereignty.

“Let it be known to those who are trooping into our party under this chaotic coalition arrangement that the ADC has been battling unresolved legal crises since the 2023 general elections.

“These matters remain in court and unresolved. Any coalition attempt built on such shaky legal ground is irresponsible and potentially self-destructive.”