The ruling by an Igbosere High Court in Lagos on Friday which declared as illegal and unconstitutional the appointment of caretaker committees over local government councils in the state has once again brought to the fore the need for state governors to allow democratically elected officials run the affairs of the third tier of government.
The court presided over by Justice Abdulfatai Lawal held that no governor is empowered by the constitution to take over the administration of local governments through sole administrators or caretaker committees.
Not a few had hoped that Lagos State government which claims to be at the forefront of promoting democracy and rule of law would swiftly comply with the judgement.
Curiously, however, and to the disappointment of many, the Lagos State government hours after the ruling said it would appeal the judgement, describing the ruling as faulty.
Granted that the Lagos State government is entitled to appeal the ruling, fact is the practice of appointing caretaker committees to run the affairs of local government councils by state governors is unknown to the 1999 constitution (as amended).
Many state governors, Lagos inclusive, in a bid to circumvent the constitution, and with the active connivance of the House of Assembly in their domain, have enacted legislations that sought to legitimise the appointment of caretaker committees to run the affairs of local government councils.
But such legislations, to the extent that they are at variance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), remain null and void and of no effect.
So, rather than continue in the path of illegality and unconstitutionality, state governors need to listen and comply to the latest by the Igbosere High court in Lagos. They should allow democracy to take root at the local government councils. Only then will they prove that they love democracy.
source-->Dailytimes.com.ng