Ganiu Obasa Sworn in as Agege LG Chairman After Tunde Azeez’s Resignation

Ganiu Obasa, son of Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, has officially assumed the role of Chairman of Agege Local Government Council, following the resignation of his predecessor, Tunde Azeez, popularly known as “Disco,” amid health challenges. This leadership transition marks a significant development in the political landscape of Agege, a key suburb of Lagos State, reflecting ongoing internal governance shifts.

Tunde Azeez resigned recently, citing persistent health problems that hampered his ability to effectively serve in office. His resignation was accepted unanimously by the council, with the legislative arm of Agege Local Government formally acknowledging his tenure and wishing him a quick recovery. Prior to his departure, Azeez had been on medical leave for several weeks, during which Ganiu Obasa had served as acting chairman, effectively overseeing all council affairs and ensuring continuity of governance ​.

Following the resignation, the Agege legislative council acted swiftly to confirm Obasa as the substantive chairman. The plenary session was led by Hon. Adeshina Haruna, who emphasized the importance of stability and effective leadership at this crucial time. The assembly’s approval underscores the commitment to ensuring continued development and oversight of local projects, with a focus on transparency and accountability ​.

The transition has elicited mixed reactions among local residents and political actors. Supporters highlight that Obasa’s appointment will facilitate stability and sustained development within Agege. They commend the decision, especially his capacity to uphold ongoing projects and uphold governance standards ​.

However, the leadership change also comes amidst underlying political tensions. Critics have raised concerns about perceived political manipulations within agege’s local governance structure. Some residents and opposition groups accuse the Obasa family of exercising undue influence on local politics, especially regarding candidate selection processes. The resistance against perceived imposition of candidates by the Obasa political family has been ongoing since 2018, with community groups protesting and demanding greater democratic participation ​.

In recent months, there have been protests and calls for fair electoral processes in Agege, with residents vowing to boycott elections they believe are manipulated by entrenched political interests. These protests, echoing years of resistance, reflect ongoing frustrations over what many view as a lack of internal democratic processes and political autonomy ​.

ADVERTISEMENT

The leadership change in Agege Local Government reflects broader political currents in Lagos State, characterized by both stability within party ranks and underlying tensions over political influence. Obasa’s leadership is expected to focus on consolidating existing projects and addressing local demands amidst these political challenges.

The residents’ response will likely influence the effectiveness of Obasa’s tenure as they balance expectations for progress against the backdrop of longstanding political negotiations. As the local government navigates this transition, the emphasis remains on delivering development and ensuring participatory governance in line with democratic principles ​.