The All Progressives Congress (APC) has emerged victorious in the July 12 local government elections held across Lagos State, clinching all 57 chairmanship positions and 375 out of 376 councillorship seats.

Announcing the results at a press briefing on Sunday, the Chairman of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), Justice Mobolanle Abidemi Okikiolu-Ighile (Rtd.), confirmed the party’s dominant performance.

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“The All Progressives Congress won all the chairmanship seats in the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas in the state,” she said.

“They also secured 375 out of the 376 councillorship seats in the Lagos LG polls. The only councillorship position not won by the APC was in Yaba LCDA, where the Peoples Democratic Party emerged victorious.”

Details later…

The House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution has disclosed that it received 46 formal requests for the creation of new states, alongside 117 demands for new local government areas across Nigeria. The proposals, submitted by various interest groups, span all six geopolitical zones.

Below is the complete list of proposed states as released by the committee:

North East
1. Savannah State — from Borno

2. Kwararafa State — from Taraba

3. Katagum State — from Bauchi

4. Amana State — from Adamawa

5. S/Sardauna State — from Taraba

6. Muri State — from Taraba

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North West
7. Gurara State — from Kaduna

8. New Kaduna State — from Kaduna

9. Hadejia State — from Jigawa

10. Gobir State — from Sokoto

11. Kainji State — from Kebbi and Niger

12. Tiga State — from Kano

13. Ghari State — from Kano

North Central
14. Edu State — from Niger

15. Okun State — from Kogi

16. Okura State — from Kogi

17. South Plateau State — from Plateau

18. Lowland State — from Plateau

19. Plateau State — New carve from existing Plateau

20. New Kogi State — from Kogi, Nasarawa, and Edo

21. Ifesowapo State — from Kwara

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22. Abuja State — from the FCT

23. Apa State — from Benue

24. Apa-Agba State — from Benue

25. Ayatutu State — from Benue

South East
26. Orashi State — from Anambra, Imo, and Rivers

27. Orlu State — South East zone

28. Anioma State — South East zone

29. Etiti State — South East zone

30. Aba State — South East zone

31. Adada State — from Enugu

South South
32. Atlantic City State — from Rivers

33. Bori State — from Rivers

34. Iwuroha State — from Rivers

35. Obolo State — from Akwa Ibom

36. Warri State — from Delta

37. Toru-Ebe State

The Archbishop of Ondo Ecclesiastical Province and Bishop of Akure Anglican Diocese, Most Reverend Simeon Borokini, has expressed deep concern over the worsening economic situation in Nigeria, lamenting its severe impact on citizens and churches nationwide.

The Anglican Bishop stated this while delivering his charge at the first session of the 15th Diocesan Synod, with the theme “Trusting the God of Abundant Grace” held at St. James’ Anglican Church, Oda, in the Akure South Local Council Area of Ondo State.

Borokini noted that the economic hardship is not only affecting the daily lives of Nigerians but is also crippling the operations of many churches, saying the harsh economic realities have left many congregants struggling to meet financial obligations, including tithes and offerings.

According to the cleric, churches do not benefit from any form of government subvention and are solely dependent on the goodwill and contributions of members.

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“Churches do not receive any form of financial subvention from the government. Our survival depends entirely on the offerings and donations from our members,” he said.

The Anglican Bishop, however, urged the government to improve the country’s economic situation. The harsh economic realities have left many church members struggling to meet their financial obligations, including support to churches.

He said, “When you are talking about the church, you cannot exclude the government because the composition of the government is the people, and it affects the members. I’m not talking about Anglican members alone but Christians all over.

“And especially, the church doesn’t get any subvention from the government; it is the little collections from the members, and if the money doesn’t circulate, if the members don’t have enough, the church will receive little. So it is affecting the church adversely.

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“That is why we are saying that the economic situation of the country should be improved. If there are industries that enable gainful employment, I think the economy of the people will be improved and more people will donate to the church.”

While calling on the Federal Government to urgently address the economic downturn, Borokini urged President Bola Tinubu to focus more on policies that promote industrial development and job creation, especially for the youth.

He also commended the administration’s efforts in tackling insecurity and improving infrastructure, noting that while some progress has been made, more work needs to be done in areas such as employment generation and the fight against banditry and kidnappings.

The clergy appealed to President Tinubu to further intensify the campaign against banditry and kidnappings, Borokini maintained that the President deserved commendation following his assessment and performance in the last two years.

READ ALSO:Catholic Bishops To FG: Save Nigerians From Multi Dimensional Poverty

“We will commend him (Tinubu) for the foreign exchange, which is somehow stable. Also the insecurity, especially in the northern part where there is a reduction, maybe because of the Defence Minister and others in charge of security. There is a reduction in insecurity.

“Though we cannot give a 100 percent mark, to some extent, there is a little bit of reduction, and we also want to encourage them should still intensify the security network.

“Not only in the northern part, but all over the country, particularly the menace of herdsmen and kidnappers, because they serve as threats even to travellers and farmers.

“If the security situation is fully tackled, it will improve our economy, and food production will be available for the masses. So the idea of hunger in the land will reduce.

READ ALSO:Nigerians Queuing For Palliative Is Height Of Indignity — Bishop Kukah

“On infrastructure, we want to commend the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike. Since he has assumed office with the backing of the president, there is a sort of facelift in Abuja, and we see many things in progress.

“Not only in Abuja but also in some parts of the country. Infrastructure should also be intensified so that it will make life easier for the general populace.

“Government should create more employment, especially for our graduates, because if they don’t have anything to do, like the Bible says, the devil finds work for idle hands.

“I’m not saying the government will find jobs for everybody, but they should try as much as possible to create some work that can engage some of our youth. So they should look in that direction.

“In our assessment, we give him 60 percent, and we expect him to still do more so that life will be easy for the generality of the populace.“