Alimosho LGA: Enilolobo Bars Councillors from Swearing in Successor

Jelili’s Suspension

Hours after the suspension of the council mayor, Alimosho Local Government is still under lock and keys. On Tuesday, May 4, 2021, the Lagos State House of Assembly suspended three Council Chairmen, Hon. Sulaiman Jelili of Alimosho alongside the Chairmen of Surulere and Lekki LCDA. The Chairmen were suspended for disobedience, misappropriation of public funds amidst other unacceptable acts of misconduct.
Following the suspension, the embattled chairmen were supposed to be replaced with immediate effect. However, it is a different story in Alimosho as the self-acclaimed Apex Leader, Alhaji Abdullahi Enilolobo instructed the councillors, who were supposed to initiate the process of installing a successor, to suspend the swearing in. According to the constitution, the Vice Chairman is supposed to step in after his Boss’ suspension but for fear of being exposed and attempt to rewrite the story, Enilolobo asked the councillors to hold on. Enilolobo, who rushed to Abuja on hearing of his stooge’s suspension, sent a message assuring his followers that Jelili would be reinstated on or before Friday, 7 May, 2021.

Our source revealed that Enilolobo rushed to Abuja to see his godfather, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, a two-term former governor of Osun and the current Minister for Interior, whom he believed could redeem the situation. As at the time of filing this report, the Vice Chairman of Alimosho Local Government, Hon. Francis Adebisi has not assumed duty pending the outcome of Jelili’s indefinite suspension, following the order of Enilolobo.

It was also revealed that Hon. Sulaiman has not passed the budget for 2021 and that Enilolobo would want to play smart in ensuring that the budget is passed as soon as possible to cover up for their looting and misappropriation. It was also gatherer that Enilolobo would be doing this backdating process. Our source also revealed that this is not the first time such is happening in Alimosho Local Government. According to him, “that was the same thing that happened in 2020 that made Jelili pass the budget in July of 2020. To make it appear like the budget was passed earlier, Jelili instructed the councillors and other staff present to remove their nose masks, so it could not be traced to coronavirus period”.

There have been series of reports alleging Jelili of running the council like a family business. He does not regard the Councillors or the council staff. He withdrew funds and spent them as he deemed fit. He awarded contracts to cronies without following due process.

Throughout his time as Chairman, Jelili isolated his Vice, Hon. Francis Adebisi from his administration, like the latter lived in the council as a total stranger. This was ascertained during their investigation in the Assembly when Francis explained that so many things happen in the council, which he did not know about.

We are hereby using this medium to bring it to the notice of the state Governor, Babajide Sanwoolu, the Lagos State House of Assembly and the state party chairman that Alimosho has been and is still under the siege of Alhaji Abdullahi Enilolobo. We also use this medium to appeal to the respective authorities to look into the matter and do justice as required by law.