…By Lola Smith for TDPel Media.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has issued an order for the disbandment of the state executive cabinet and all associated aides, effective from Friday, May 26, 2023.
This directive was conveyed in a circular, titled “End of Political Office holders-Cabinet/non-cabinet ranks,” which was released on Wednesday by the Head of Service, Hakeem Muri-Okunola.
The circular, numbered 046, highlighted the importance of asset declaration in accordance with paragraph 11 (1b), part one of the fifth schedule of Nigeria’s constitution, which pertains to end-of-tenure asset declaration.
The order applies to various officials, including Commissioners, Special Advisers (both cabinet and non-cabinet), and all assistants (Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants, Personal Assistants, Technical Assistants, Personal aides, etc.).
Governor Sanwo-Olu instructed these officials to prepare individual handover notes and return any government property they possess, including utility/project vehicles, to the accounting officer or the most senior director of their respective ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).
The circular explicitly stated that political appointees whose appointments are tenure-based or regulated by legislation, as well as members of statutory commissions and Governing Councils whose tenure has not expired, are exempt from the directive, unless they receive formal notification to the contrary.
Governor Sanwo-Olu is poised to commence his second term as governor following his inauguration on Monday, after emerging victorious in the state’s governorship election held on March 18.