Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has sworn in Abdul-Ganiyu Obasa as the substantive Chairman of Agege Local Government, marking a new phase in the council’s leadership.
The inauguration took place on Monday at Lagos House, Ikeja, where the governor also swore in Toyin Adejimiwa as a Permanent Secretary. The event drew senior government officials, party leaders and retired top civil servants.
During the ceremony, Sanwo-Olu charged the new council chairman to lead with fairness and restraint. He warned against actions that could divide residents, stressing that local government leadership must unite people at the grassroots.
The governor described local councils as the closest level of government to the people. He said chairmen must remain accessible, compassionate and responsive to community needs. According to him, development at that level should be people-focused and measurable.
Sanwo-Olu urged Obasa to avoid policies that could create tension in Agege. He advised him to focus on inclusive governance, teamwork and service delivery that directly improves the lives of residents.
The governor also reminded public office holders that discipline and performance remain key factors for growth within the Lagos State public service. He noted that leadership is judged by results, not position or background.
Abdul-Ganiyu Obasa is the son of the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudasiru Obasa. Before his formal inauguration, he had been serving as acting chairman of the council.
Sanwo-Olu also recognised retired permanent secretaries present at the event. He described them as dedicated public servants whose records of service continue to shape and inspire the state’s civil service.
Obasa’s emergence as chairman follows the resignation of former council boss, Hon. Tunde Azeez, who stepped down after taking medical leave shortly after assuming office. His exit paved the way for Obasa, then vice chairman, to fully assume leadership.
Explaining the decision at the time, the media aide to the former chairman said, “Tunde Azeez has been long sick and his decision to resign and devote his attention to his health rather than being weighed down by the responsibility of that office is the wise decision any sane person should take.”
He added, “The beneficiary of that excellent decision, Abdulganiyu Vinod Obasa is a visionary young man who in the last few months of Azeez’s absence has demonstrated uncommon capacity. I think Agege is lucky to have both guys.”
Despite these explanations, the transition has continued to attract criticism. Opposition parties have described the development as a “carefully scripted succession,” raising concerns over internal party processes.
They argue that resistance from some stakeholders during the local government election period suggested deep divisions within the ruling party at the council level.
Supporters of the new chairman, however, insist the process was lawful and driven purely by health considerations. They maintain that leadership passed from “a sick man who chose recovery over politics” to “a young leader prepared to serve.”
