Despite the law's enactment, its implementation has been postponed to August 4, 2025, after the scheduled July 12 Local Government Elections.

A civil society organisation, Centre for Human and Socio-economic Rights (CHSR) has expressed concern over the delayed implementation of the Lagos State Local Government Administrative Law 2025, signed into law by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on May 7, 2025.

Despite the law's enactment, its implementation has been postponed to August 4, 2025, after the scheduled July 12 Local Government Elections.

Briefing journalists on Sunday in Lagos, President of CHSR, Alex Omotehinse, stated that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu's delayed implementation of Local Government Administrative Law is a threat to democratic integrity and legal standards in Lagos State.

Omotehinse described the delay as unconstitutional and raises serious questions about equity, transparency, and political neutrality.

He said, “This postponement, in our assessment, is not only ill-advised but raises serious questions about equity, transparency, and political neutrality, especially as it disproportionately favours certain local government areas, notably Oto Awori LCDA and Ikosi-Isheri LCDA, whose position may be directly impacted by the law if it were implemented immediately.

“We strongly assert that once a law is duly passed and signed by the executive arm of government, let it be unequivocally stated.

“A law becomes operational from the date of assent, unless the law itself contains a clear provision specifying a later commencement date, but in this case, the Administrative Law 2025 signed on May 7, 2025, contains no such provision therefore, its implementation should have begun immediately.

“Any attempt to delay or selectively implement such a law especially for political considerations, it sets a dangerous precedent and undermines the principles of the rule of law that Lagos State has long been celebrated for.”

“As a pacesetter among Nigerian states, Lagos State should not be seen as circumventing democratic standards for perceived political advantage,” it added.

The CHSR considers the delay a deliberate move that threatens electoral fairness and could deepen public mistrust in government processes.

The group, however, called on key stakeholders, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Attorney General of the Federation, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), to intervene and urge the Lagos State Government to honour the immediate enforcement of the law.

“Delaying the law's execution until after the elections could create a legal vacuum, open the door to litigation, and damage Lagos State's hard-earned reputation as a democratic example for other states in the federation,” the group said.

“The CHSR remains committed to defending democratic norms, institutional integrity, and the rights of the governed. We will continue to monitor this issue closely and will not hesitate to escalate our advocacy nationally if this undemocratic delay is not reversed.”