The Centre for Human and Socio-economic Rights (CHSR) has condemned the non-implementation of the Lagos State Local Government Administrative Law, 2025 by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, warning that the deliberate move could threaten electoral fairness and public mistrust in the state.

President of CHSR, Alex Omotehinse, who raised the concern during a media briefing in Lagos, urged President Bola Tinubu, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), and other civil society organisations to prevail on Sanwo-Olu to honour the immediate enforcement of the law in line with constitutional dictates and democratic ethics.

“While we commend Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for assenting to a critical piece of legislation aimed at redefining administrative processes in local governance, we are deeply concerned about the unconstitutional delay in its implementation, now proposed to take effect from August 4, 2025, after the scheduled July 12 local council elections.

“This postponement, in our assessment, is not only ill-advised but raises serious questions about equity, transparency, and political neutrality, especially as it disproportionately favours certain local councils, notably Oto Awori LCDA and Ikosi-Isheri LCDA, whose position may be directly impacted by the law if it were implemented immediately.

“We strongly assert that once a law is duly passed and signed by the Executive arm of government, let it be unequivocally stated,” he said.
Omotehinse emphasised that a law becomes operational from the date of assent, unless the law itself contains a clear provision specifying a later commencement date, noting that in this case, the Administrative Law 2025 signed on May 7, 2025, contains no such provision, adding that its implementation should have begun immediately.

He warned that any attempt to delay or selectively implement such a law, especially for political considerations, would set a dangerous precedent and undermine the principles of the rule of law that the state has long been celebrated for.

“As a pacesetter among Nigerian states, Lagos State should not be seen as circumventing democratic standards for perceived political advantage. We consider this delay not just an administrative misstep, but also a deliberate move that threatens electoral fairness and could further deepen public mistrust in government processes.

“Delaying the law’s execution until after the elections could create a legal vacuum, open the door to litigation, and damage the state’s hard-earned reputation as a democratic example for other states in the federation,” he stated.

Omotehinse said that letters had been sent to the House of Assembly and the office of the Attorney-General of the state to make their position known since they are not a faceless group. He emphasised that the CHSR remains committed to defending democratic norms, institutional integrity, and the rights of the governed.