No Voice, No Vote! Lagos Assembly Demands Fresh Elections to Replace Councillors Who Died Months Ago

The Lagos State House of Assembly is demanding immediate action to fix a representation crisis at the local government level, calling for bye-elections to replace three councillors who died shortly after taking their oaths of office.

During a session on Thursday, January 22, lawmakers expressed concern that residents in parts of Ibeju-Lekki, Somolu, and Mushin have been left in the dark without anyone to speak for them in the local councils. The push for the elections was led by Hon. Nureni Akinsanya, who pointed out that the affected communities are being unfairly silenced because their seats have remained empty since the middle of last year.

The tragedy dates back to August 2025, when a string of sudden deaths rocked the state’s local administration. Oluwakemi Rufai, the only female councillor in Ibeju-Lekki, passed away just over two weeks after her inauguration. Within the same month, Zainab Shotayo, a 30-year-old Chief Whip in Odiolowo-Ojuwoye, also died. By September, the Somolu community lost Basirat Mayabikan.

“These wards have been without representation for months,” Akinsanya stated, urging his colleagues to ensure that the “grassroots” are not forgotten. Supporting the motion, other lawmakers noted that while the state mourned these women, the business of governance must continue for the sake of the living.

Speaker Mudashiru Obasa agreed that the vacancies could no longer be ignored. After the House observed a minute of silence for the departed officials, Obasa directed the Clerk to send a formal letter to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, requesting him to give LASIEC the green light to prepare the ballot boxes.

With the Assembly now putting its foot down, residents in the affected areas are waiting to see how quickly the electoral commission will move to give them back their seats at the table.