The Lagos State House of Assembly has formally petitioned Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to initiate bye-elections across three wards, following the deaths of several local representatives last year.

The resolution, passed at a plenary session this week, seeks to compel the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) to address a growing legislative gap at the grassroots. The seats have remained vacant since 2025, leaving thousands of residents without formal representation in local government proceedings.

The motion was moved by Nurudeen Akinsanya (Mushin I), who highlighted the administrative paralysis affecting wards in Mushin, Somolu, and Ibeju-Lekki. Mr. Akinsanya argued that the continued absence of elected officials was not merely a procedural oversight but a denial of the electorate’s constitutional rights.

“The prolonged absence of councillors has denied residents effective participation in local governance,” Mr Akinsanya told the House.

He noted that the law mandates timely by-elections to ensure the continuity of democratic representation.

The call for action drew broad support across the House. Yinka Esho (Mushin II) and Kehinde Joseph (Alimosho II) both stressed the urgency of the situation, arguing that local council development areas (LCDAs) cannot function optimally while key seats remain vacant.

The vacancies arose following a tragic string of deaths shortly after the officials were sworn in in 2021. According to Assembly records:

“Ibeju-Lekki: Mrs Oluwakemi Rufai (Ward C1) passed away on August 12, 2025.

“Odi-Olowo LCDA: Mrs Zainab Shotayo Kosoko (Ward C3) died on August 19, 2025, aged just 30.

“Somolu: Mrs Basirat Oluwakemi Mayabikan (Ward F) died on September 21, 2025.”

Following the deliberations, the Speaker of the House, Dr. Mudashiru Obasa, directed the Clerk, Barrister Olalekan Onafeso, to transmit the resolution to the Governor’s office.

“While the Governor holds the executive authority to signal the electoral commission, the timing of the polls remains at the discretion of LASIEC. Critics of the delay have pointed out that local administration is the tier of government closest to the people, and any vacancy there disproportionately affects the delivery of basic services and the adjudication of local grievances.”

The Governor’s office has yet to issue a formal response to the Assembly’s resolution, though LASIEC is expected to begin reviewing the logistics for the three wards in the coming weeks.