The chairman of Agege Local Government in Lagos State, Alhaji Tunde Azeez, has resigned citing health issues, with the legislative arm confirming receipt of his letter. The resignation will be forwarded to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for approval. Vice Chairman AbdulGaniyu Vinod Obasa continues as acting chairman.
The Agege Legislative Arm in Lagos State confirmed on Wednesday the receipt of a resignation letter from incumbent Chairman Alhaji Tunde Azeez. The letter, addressed on health grounds, will be communicated to state Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, according to Haruna Adeshina, the leader of the legislative arm.
Media reports indicated that Azeez had transferred power to Vice Chairman AbdulGaniyu Vinod Obasa about two months ago to embark on medical leave. At a briefing attended by all seven councillors, Adeshina acknowledged the letter and stated that the councillors unanimously commended Azeez's decision. “We commend Hon. Tunde Azeez profoundly for this decision to relinquish his chairmanship position and not hold on to power to the detriment of the development of our community,” Adeshina said.
Adeshina emphasized that the final decision rests with Governor Sanwo-Olu. “While AbdulGaniyu Vinod Obasa still remains the Acting Chairman of the Council, we are in the process of sending Hon. Azeez’s resignation letter to our supervising ministry, the Ministry of Local Government, for onward transmission to Governor Sanwo-Olu for his consideration, in line with the provisions of the constitution,” he added.
Background to the development includes opposition from some stakeholders against nominating Obasa’s son as the APC candidate for the July 12 local government election. Azeez was nominated as chairman, with the younger Obasa as vice-chairman candidate. Barely a month after swearing-in, Azeez, who was absent during the campaign, proceeded on medical leave.
APC chieftain Rotimi Sulaiman confirmed the resignation, noting Azeez's long illness. “Hon. 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,” Sulaiman said. He praised Obasa as “a visionary young man who, in the last few months of Azeez’s absence, has demonstrated uncommon capacity,” adding that Agege is lucky to have both men.
The briefing was attended by former council chairmen Chief Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi and Pastor J. S. Babatunde.