Shock awaits CDA, CDC chairmen seeking second term

By Edith Igbokwe, Damilola Kushimo and Olushola Okewole
The race for self-succession by chairmen of recently dissolved community development associations and community development committees may lead nowhere, Echonews has learnt.

Sources close to the powers that hold the strings indicate that the clamour for new faces on the saddle may overwhelm moves being made by the old guard to seek another term.

Lagos State has over 4,000 community development associations and 57 community development committees. Both are co-ordinated statewide by the Community Development Advisory Council.

The structures were dissolved recently by the Ministry of Local Government & Community Affairs and local governments were asked to set in motion the process of electing new executives to the grassroots associations.

The three councils – Oshodi-Isolo, Isolo and Ejigbo- formally dissolved the CDAs and CDCs last week. They have also announced the dates for elections into the CDAs and the CDC executive positions.

Already, the CDA elections have started in Oshodi-Isolo as many CDAs have already concluded their own while only 14 out of 54 CDAs on the list are expected to complete the election on Tuesday, December 17 as scheduled by the local government.

The CDC election in the local government is yet to be fixed as gathered by ECHONEWS. In Oshodi-Isolo LG, the form for the position of the CDA Chairman was sold at the rate of N2, 000; Vice Chairman, General Secretary and Treasurer forms were sold at N1,000 each while the forms for the other posts were sold at N500.

It was gathered that the form for the post of CDC executive members is N5, 000. In Ejigbo LCDA, the elections have been scheduled to start today, Monday December 16, 2019 within a ward per day till all the six wards are done with the elections.

The candidates were asked to purchase forms at the council secretariat in preparation for the elections.
For the post of CDA Chairman, the form is N3, 000; N2, 500 for both General Secretary and Treasurer and N1, 500 for all other posts.

All the posts in the CDC Executive attract N5, 000 form each payable to the bank account of the Ejigbo LCDA in either UBA, Zenith, Access bank or Ecobank.

In an exclusive chat with Echonews, Isolo LCDA chairman, Hon. Shamsudeen Olaleye said the programme for the elections into the CDAs will be out this week while the date of the elections into the CDC will come up later.
Overall, elections will take place in 212 CDAs in Oshodi- Isolo LGA as follows: Oshodi, (54); Isolo, (48) and Ejigbo, (110).

Many new entrants kicked off their grassroots campaign last week by knocking on doors to convince landlords and tenants to vote for them but the old guards are summoning the elders in their communities to work out a consensus list of favorites which they will try to sell to the local authorities.

Also, in a game in which networks matter a lot, many contestants who have just been relieved of their posts following the dissolution have started working towards securing their positions back.

When contacted by ECHONEWS to inquire whether they would still contest, the executive members of the CDC were reluctant to reveal their stands, telling our correspondent to be looking as things unfold.

While dissolving the CDC/CDAs, the Ejigbo LCDA Chairman urged all the communities to ensure they hand over the leadership of their community to responsible, available, experienced people, those who have the interest of the community at heart.

He also encouraged all the communities to avoid sentiments in electing their new leaders as he promised to appreciate the outgoing leaders for their contributions to the development of Ejigbo LCDA.

He also promised to sponsor the electoral procedures, vowing not to influence the process of the elections as the residents elect their community leaders.

However, he said part of the election requirements from each CDA is to watch the persons presented well and that the CDA must be registered to contest in the elections.

The council chairman disclosed that the CDC office would be built and commissioned before his tenure runs out, noting that a land has been given to that effect by the Ageke family at Lafenwa area of the council.

Meanwhile, the outgoing CDC chairman, Chief Giwa Lamoriyu has announced plans to seek a second term. He told Echonews he would like to continue as many people were running from the post adding that he was ready to do it again if given the mandate.

His manifesto: to support the council chairman on his developmental works in the community. Also seeking his office for another term, Ejigbo CDC Secretary, Comrade Victor Durodola has said the people will determine his fate. He said: “The CDC in Ejigbo since 2014 when we took over has been taken to higher level as we now have our representative at the state level for meetings unlike before we got there.

“We have done a lot for the CDAs. When we came in then, there were about 67 CDAs but now we have 110 CDAs functioning. We’ve settled crisis among some CDAs. So, on that note, if the community could see what we’ve done and deem it fit that we need to come back, we’ll come back as we are ready to serve the community again. And if not, there is no problem, we’ll only be members and stand as the ex-officio at the CDC.”

Also speaking with ECHONEWS on his preparation, the CDA chairman, Kila area, Mr. Taiwo Owolabi, said he would throw the CDA chairmanship open to the community and the community would decide.

He also made his intention known on the position of the CDC chairman, declaring that is now eyeing the position as the council chairman has said that CDA chairman can also contest for the CDC too.

The Ashamu Bucknor CDA Chairman, Mr. Saka, said his decision to contest would be made known when the community meets as it is open to all.

Omiyale End CDA Chairman, Chief Bashorun, said: “From inception, people came to me to be the chairman and having successfully concluded the tenure, I will need to go back to them for a go ahead. If I have really met their expectations, they will give me the go ahead and that’s the stage I am now.”

The Chairman of Ailegun Omoboja CDA, Mr. Kingsley Osasu, simply said: “Yes, I am still interested in serving my community.”

The outgoing Chairman of Isolo CDC, Mr. Fatai Abisiga said he would not force himself on the community but would still not miss the opportunity if given to him.

According to him, his coming back to the position depends majorly on the people’s choice. He said: “If my people want me to go, I will go. For me I don’t go against any opportunity that comes, if it is the wish of my people to go, I will go but, this is just a tenure which was only elongated. So, there is a possibility of a second term, if my people still want me.

Not too Young to Run: What you need to know about CDA and its elections

One of the arguments in the controversy over the bill on Not Too Young to Run is that youths should contest and develop their leadership skills at grassroots level before aspiring to higher offices. The opening up of executive positions in over 4,000 CDAs in Lagos State gives the youth the rare opportunity to mobilise, participate and win positions in the CDAs.
To enlighten youths and the general public, Echonews has come up with a short advisory:

In 2008, the Lagos State House of Assembly amended the Lagos State Community Development Associations Law which gives right to form Community Development Associations.

According to the Law, voluntary residents of any community in the State may form and register a Community Development Association (referred to as “CDA”) by complying with the requirements of this Law in respect of registration of such an association.

“For the purpose of the Law, a corporate organisation located or operating in a community shall be regarded as may be a resident and therefore a member of a CDA.

“No CDA shall be registered unless it – (a) is formed by not less than twenty voluntary members of a community; (b) is formed for the promotion and development of the community; (c) pays the prescribed fee for registration; and(d)meets all other requirements as may be prescribed by the Ministry.”

Meanwhile, the Lagos CDA Law does not make membership of the associations compulsory for all residents so as not to infringe on the 1999 constitution of the country.

Aside the CDA, section 4 of the Law stipulates the establishment and functions of Community Development Committee (CDC) in each local government and local government development area (LCDA).
It states: “There shall be established in every Local Government Area in Lagos State a Community Development Committee (hereinafter referred to as CDC). The sole function of the CDC shall be to advise the Local Government on the operations of CDA in the Local Government, in accordance with guidelines prescribed by the Ministry.
“The membership of the CDC shall be – (a) the Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer of every CDA registered in the Local Government Area; (b) an officer representing the Local Government Area to be appointed by the Chairman of the Local Government; (c) an officer representing the Ministry of Rural Development to be appointed by the Commissioner; and (d) one person representing the public interest to be appointed by the Governor, on the recommendation of the Commissioner.

Section six of the law recognizes the establishment of the Community Development Advisory Council which was subsequently formed in 2009.
It states: “There is established in Lagos State a Community Development Advisory Council (hereinafter referred to as CDAC).

“The sole function of the CDAC is to advise the State Government on matters relating to rural development in the State.
“The membership of the CDAC shall be – (a) the Chairman and Secretary of every CDC in the State; (b) an officer representing the Ministry of Rural Development to be appointed by the Commissioner; and (c) two persons representing the public interest to be appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of the Commissioner.

Section eight of the Law explains the procedure for registration of CDAs, stating that: (1) Every CDA shall submit an application to the Local Government Area where it is located. The application for registration shall be in the format prescribed by the Ministry and accompanied by a constitution of the CDA in the form and content prescribed in the Schedule to this Law. (2) No Local Government shall charge a fee above that prescribed by the Ministry for the registration of a CDA.

Section nine states: (1) The Local Government shall register all CDAs unless in its opinion that – (a) the application is not in compliance with the provision of this Law or the regulations prescribed by the Commissioner; and (b) the objectives and functions of the CDA are not in accordance with the provisions of this Law or for the development of the Community. (2) The Local Government shall, if satisfied with the application, issue a Certificate of Registration in a format prescribed by the Ministry. (3) The Certificate shall be prima facie evidence that all the requirements of this Law have been complied with, and that the CDA is authorised to operate in the community within the Local Government Area. (4) As from the date of registration the CDA shall be capable of exercising the powers and functions of an association, including power to raise funds, own property and execute community projects in accordance with this or any other existing Law.

Section 12 states that: “It shall be the duty of the Local Government to – (a) support selected community development projects of CDAs registered under it; (b) fund the meetings and operations of its CDC; (c) organise elections into the Executive of its CDC; (d) keep a register of all CDAs registered under it; (e) submit to the Ministry, a collation of reports on the operation and community projects of CDAs in the Local Government Area, and such other returns as the Ministry may require from time to time on the operation of CDAs and its CDC; and (f) ensure that the CDC complies with guidelines for the operation of CDC as may be prescribed by the Ministry.”

Section 13 stipulates that: “It shall be the duty of the Ministry to – (a) collate records of all community development projects from the returns made by the Local Government Areas; (b) recommend to Government some selected community development; (c) projects of CDAs to be supported in each fiscal year; (d) fund the meetings and operations of the CDAC; (e) organise elections into the Executive of the CDAC; (f) keep a register of all CDCs in the State; (g) organise an Annual Conference of CDAs in Lagos State to showcase model community development projects; and (h) ensure that the CDAC complies with guidelines as may be prescribed by the Ministry.

In exercising its constitutional right, the Ministry, last week, directed that all CDAs and CDCs in Lagos State and the CDAC be dissolved in preparation for new elections into the executive positions of the associations and committees.