Sanwo-Olu warns Speaker Obasa’s son against divisive tendencies in LGA

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has cautioned the newly sworn-in Chairman of Agege Local Government, Abdul-Ganiyu Obasa, against divisive tendencies, urging him to govern inclusively and focus on unity-driven grassroots development.

Sanwo-Olu spoke on Monday during the swearing-in ceremony of Obasa and Toyin Adejimiwa, who was inaugurated as a Permanent Secretary, at Lagos House.

Obasa, son of the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudasiru Obasa, had been serving as acting chairman of the council prior to his confirmation and formal inauguration.

The governor described local government as the tier of administration closest to the people, stressing that leadership at that level must be visible, responsive and compassionate.

He urged the Agege council chairman to avoid actions or policies that could deepen divisions, emphasising the need for inclusive governance that prioritises measurable outcomes and delivers tangible benefits to residents.

Sanwo-Olu noted that discipline and performance remained the core benchmarks for leadership and career advancement within the Lagos State public service.

The governor also acknowledged the presence of retired permanent secretaries at the ceremony, describing them as exemplary public servants whose contributions and legacies continued to inspire the state’s civil service.

Recall that Vice Chairman Abdul-Ganiyu Obasa, son of the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, officially took over as acting chairman following the resignation of Tunde Azeez.

Azeez, who had gone on medical leave barely a month after his swearing-in on July 26, 2025, stepped down to undergo treatment for an undisclosed illness.

His decision paved the way for Obasa’s son, who had been serving in acting capacity, to assume full control of the council.

However, opposition parties described the succession as a “carefully scripted succession,” arguing that the circumstances surrounding Azeez’s resignation and Obasa’s takeover suggest a prearranged political plan.

They said the move to make Obasa’s son the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate during the July 12 local government election had been strongly resisted by some stakeholders.