The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State has declared that council elections will take place in all 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in 2025.
Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, the APC Chairman in Lagos, explained this in a statement released on Sunday, addressing speculation about the status of the LCDAs.
“Recently, the APC leadership in Lagos State has been inundated with enquiries from the media, party members, and stakeholders regarding the conduct of the forthcoming Local Government elections, particularly whether elections will hold in the 37 LCDAs,” Ojelabi told the Tribune.
“It has become necessary to dispel the needless and distracting rumours. We wish to inform all concerned that the Local Government elections will take place across the state’s 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs in 2025.”
Ojelabi highlighted the critical role of LCDAs in grassroots governance and development, citing numerous infrastructure projects such as roads, drainage systems, schools, housing, and health facilities, as well as their collaborative efforts with the state government on waste management, security, and other social services.
“As a progressive party, we cannot ignore the contributions of the LCDAs to Lagos State’s political and socio-economic advancement,” he said.
The APC urged residents and party members to maintain peace as preparations for the elections unfold.
This clarification comes amid debates about the relevance of LCDAs and proposed changes by the Lagos State House of Assembly. The Assembly is considering a bill to restructure local government administration by replacing the 37 LCDAs with Area Administrative Councils, citing a Supreme Court judgment on financial autonomy for local governments.
The bill, which seeks to consolidate laws governing local government administration in the state, remains under consideration. Political stakeholders have expressed opposition to the proposed changes during recent public hearings.
