Northern youths have rejected the planned conversion of 37 Lagos LCDAs.
Epe Insights reports that the Northern Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has rejected a bill seeking to convert the 37 Local Council Development Areas in Lagos State into full-fledged Local Government Areas.
The bill, sponsored by Abiodun Faleke, the lawmaker representing Ikeja Federal Constituency, Lagos State, and 21 other lawmakers, passed the second reading at the House of Representatives on Wednesday.
Lagos, which currently has 20 LGs, will have 57 LGs if the bill scales through, pushing the total number of LGs in the country from 774 to 811.
Epe Insights recalls that President Bola Tinubu created the LCDAs when he was the governor of Lagos State between 1999 and 2007.
The creation of the LCDAs brought Tinubu into a confrontation with then-President Olusegun Obasanjo, who then seized Lagos State’s federal allocations.
Displeased with the planned conversion of 37 Lagos LCDAs, the NYCN National President, Isah Abubakar, a statement issued on Thursday in Kaduna, northern Nigeria, described the bill seeking to convert the 37 LCDAs to LGs as “unjust and a threat to the principles of equity and fairness that must underpin our nation’s governance.”
Abubakar argued that the development could lead to increased fragmentation and division within Nigeria’s national structure, undermining the unity and integrity of the country.
The NYCN President also advocated a fair and comprehensive review of local governance structures across the country.
He also called on Nigerian governors, especially, northern governors, to protest against the bill, noting that northern interests must be protected.
The NYCN boss said, “We believe that the creation of new LGAs should not be a measure that benefits only Lagos State at the expense of other states in the federation.
“If these 37 LCDAs are allowed to transition into LGAs, it sets a dangerous precedent – inevitably, other LCDAs across the country will demand similar recognition.
“We call on Nigerian governors, especially those from northern Nigeria, to protest against this bill. It is crucial that they stand as guardians of equitable governance, ensuring that any policies or legislation reflect the needs and rights of all Nigerians, not just those in a particular region.
“Any discussions around LGA creation should involve concerted dialogue with all stakeholders, ensuring that decisions consider the diverse needs of the entire nation rather than catering to a select few.
“We call on Nigerian governors, especially those from Northern Nigeria, to protest against this bill. It is crucial that they stand as guardians of equitable governance, ensuring that any policies or legislation reflect the needs and rights of all Nigerians, not just those in a particular region.”
The NYCN boss stressed that lawmakers must reconsider the implications of the bill and work towards the betterment of all Nigerians.
“As we move forward, the Northern Youth Council of Nigeria remains committed to promoting unity, equity, and fairness in governance,” Abubakar opined.
