In a dramatic standoff, the suspended Lagos LG chairman clashes with the vice-chairman over control of the office, causing a stir in local governance circles.
Tensions escalated at the Alimosho Local Government Area secretariat on Tuesday when suspended Chairman Jelili Sulaimon and Vice Chairman Akinpelu Johnson clashed over control of the council office.
According to OBASANJONEWS, Sulaimon was suspended from his position by the Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday over allegations of misconduct.
The Assembly also instructed the council’s Manager and Treasurer to acknowledge Johnson as the acting Chairman and assist him in efficiently overseeing the council.
Despite the suspension, Sulaimon went back to the secretariat on Tuesday and was greeted by a crowd of supporters demonstrating their solidarity.
At the same time, Johnson arrived at the office with an official appointment letter to succeed Sulaimon.
READ ALSO:Lagos Assembly Suspends LG Chairman Over Alleged Misconduct
Reports indicate that both Sulaimon and Johnson were unable to enter the Chairman’s office since it was locked. Following a short standoff, the two leaders are said to have departed for an undisclosed location, leaving the issue unresolved.
In the meantime, four of the seven council members have condemned their three colleagues’ alleged suspension of Johnson.
In a statement by Deputy Leader Mojisola Ayeni (Ward D), Saheed Adejoke (Ward C), Rasheed Semiu (Ward E), and Elizabeth Fashina (Ward F), the councillors praised the House of Assembly for its intervention and encouraged council stakeholders to continue their activities.
The document, titled “Unlawful Suspension of Akinpelu Ibrahim Johnson, Vice Chairman Alimosho Local Government,” states: “We, the undersigned legislators from Alimosho Local Government, formally distance ourselves from the orchestrated and unlawful suspension of Mr. Akinpelu Johnson, Vice Chairman of Alimosho Local Government.”
We denounce the alleged suspension of the Vice Chairman by minority legislators, who followed directives from the legitimately suspended Chairman.
“We want to stress that the Vice Chairman was never suspended, and we are fully prepared to support him in administering the Local Government moving forward.”
