There is uproar over the plan by the Lagos State House of Assembly to extend the tenure of local government chairmen from three to four years.
A public hearing held on the proposed Local Government administration amendment bill that also seeks to give the House of Assembly the power to override the governor in case of removal of a Chairman or Vice-Chairman, was met with a stiff opposition from stakeholders.
The public perception of the controversial veto power introduced by the House of Assembly has generated heated debate.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state represented by its Legal Adviser Demola Sadiq Opposed the overriding clause.
Sadiq said the doctrine of separation of power and the rule of law frowns at arbitrary use of the legislative power of veto.
He also spoke on the doctrine of double jeopardy that would make the Chairman and Vice-Chairmen of Local Government at great disadvantage as they could be removed by the Councillors and be removed by the House of Assembly.
Although lawmakers including Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, the deputy speaker and majority leader tried to justify their position, majority of those in attendance including former speaker Jokotade Pelumi kicked against the plan.
According to them, the introduction of the power to override the governor to exercise discretion on a resolution of the House of Assembly is strange to parliamentary democracy in the country.
Resolutions have generally been established by the Court and precedent to be non-binding and only advisory.
The Nation