Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Monday swore in Abdul-Ganiyu Obasa, son of the State Assembly Speaker Mudasiru Obasa, as the substantive Chairman of Agege Local Government.
During the ceremony at Lagos House, Ikeja, the governor cautioned the new chairman to govern inclusively, shun divisive tendencies, and focus on unity-driven grassroots development.
Obasa, who had been serving as acting chairman, officially took the helm following the resignation of the former chairman, Tunde Azeez, who stepped down in November due to persistent health challenges shortly after being sworn in.
While Governor Sanwo-Olu stressed that leadership in Lagos is judged by performance and measurable outcomes, the transition has drawn criticism.
Opposition parties have labeled the event a “carefully scripted succession,” suggesting a prearranged political plan.
They point to the fact that an initial attempt to make Obasa the party’s candidate for the local government election was strongly resisted by some party stakeholders.
Supporters, however, maintain the transition was legitimate and necessitated by the former chairman’s health, framing it as a duty passing from “a sick man who chose recovery over politics” to a “young leader prepared to serve”.
At the ceremony, Obasa thanked the governor and pledged to uphold the standards of public service in Lagos.
