Abolaji Adebayo
In the next few weeks, Lagos State will experience another election as residents in communities across the State will exercise another voting right to elect new sets of executive members of Community Development Associations (CDAs) and Community Development Committees (CDCs).
No fewer than 61,824 will be elected into CDA executive posts while 798 posts will be occupied at the CDC level across the state.
In addition, candidates from all parts of the state would justle for 14 posts at the Community Development Advisory Council.
Seeing as the fourth tier of government in the state, the CDA, CDC, and CDAC elections in Lagos State are as tough as the local government election.
Aspirants canvass for votes in a similar way political candidates seek the mandates of the residents to be represented in government.
The elections for the CDAs and CDCs are conducted by Local Government and or LCDA authorities.
The Chairmen and Secretary of each 57 CDCs constitute the membership of CDAC out of which 14 are elected to occupy the posts of executive members of the council.
The CDAC election comes last after the CDA and CDC might have been conducted across the state.
According to the Lagos State Community Associations Law, the executive council of a CDA, CDC, and CDAC shall comprise a chairman, 1st vice chairman, 2nd vice chairman, secretary, assistant secretary, treasurer, financial secretary, auditor, social secretary, welfare official, public relations officer, and three ex-officio members.
Section 4 (1) of the constitution stated that: Members of the Executive Council shall hold office for two years subject to re-election for a further term of two years.
Last week, following the expiration of their tenure the State Government ordered that the current executive members of CDAs and CDCs be dissolved today, Monday, July 7, 2023, and that new elections be arranged and conducted.
The government, through the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, ordered that caretaker committees be constituted to steer the affairs of the CDAs/CDCs in their LGAs/LCDAs pending the determination of new executives through the election and subsequent inauguration of the elected members.
The announcement was contained in the circular issued on July 31, 2023, by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, Mrs. Kikelomo Bolarinwa to the Head of Departments of Agriculture & Social Services of 20 Local Governments, and 37 Local Council Development Areas.
It was stated that the executive members of the CDs and CDCs were elected to hold office for a period of two years.
The dissolved executives were inaugurated in 2019, hence their tenure elapsed in 2021 (See CDA/CDC Constitution part XI (28).
“To this end, Mr. Governor has approved the dissolution of the present Executive members of CDAs/CDCs across the 20 LGs and 37 LCDAs in the State,” she said.
Consequently, the Heads of Agric and Social Services Departments were directed to dissolve all executive members of CDAs/CDCs in their Local Government Areas/Local Council Development Areas with effect from August 7, 2023.
They were further requested to constitute a caretaker committee to steer the affairs of the CDAs/CDCs in their LGAs/LCDAs pending the determination of new executives through the election and subsequent inauguration of the elected members.
“In compliance with the above, you are to note that only duly registered CDAs with the State are eligible for the conduct of election to usher in new Excos. Similarly, the CDAs must have settled all outstanding renewal payments (See CDA/CDC Constitution part IV. Section 13 1 – IV).
“Please, be informed that petitions/complaints emanating from the election should be submitted to the Director, Community Development Department not later than a week after the election. Petitioners are expected to pay the sum of N10,000:00 to the Lagos State Community Development Advisory Council Account for Investigation & further necessary action. (See CDA/CDC Constitution part IV. Section 12 I – III).
“Kindly give the above the deserved publicity and ensure strict compliance to the schedules,” the circular read.
Speaking to ECHONEWS, the Chairman of the Lagos State Community Development Advisory Council, Alhaji Azeez Amusat, explained that the caretaker committee will automatically comprise the chairman, the secretary, and the treasurer of the CDC.
“For now we don’t know when the elections will be held. Truly our tenure has expired since including the CDAC but the CDAC election will come last after all the CDs and CDCs might have conducted their elections.
“Automatically, the chairman, the Secretary, and the treasurer of the CDC are the ones to constitute the caretaker committee.
“The number of CDAs has increased to 4,416 from 3,000+ when we took over. CDA Law C27 stipulates that not less than 20 voluntary members can form a CDA.
“The election is expected to take place in the 57 LGAs and LCDAs and it will be conducted by the local governments. They cannot conduct the election for all the CDAs at the same time, the government will choose different days for different CDAs until it covers all the CDAs in the local council area. So, we cannot say when the election will start and end.
“I’m only appealing to each CDA to make sure they do it in peace.”
