The ongoing controversies surrounding the Ayobo-Ipaja Local Council Development Area (LCDA) have drawn the attention of the Department of State Services (DSS), which recently dispatched officials to investigate alleged governance lapses and disruptions within the council.
The absence of LCDA Chairman Bola Shobowale, which has raised concerns regarding accountability and leadership within the council, prompted the DSS to question Vice Chairman Ladi Oluwaloni and other officials on their roles in managing council affairs amidst the apparent leadership vacuum.
DSS officers arrived at the council’s secretariat in Alimosho Local Government Area to conduct a firsthand assessment, reportedly questioning the Vice Chairman and Council Manager Saheed Babatunde about recent incidents, including the treatment of former Deputy Governor Femi Pedro and other members of the Lagos Governance Advisory Council (GAC) during a prior visit.
Sources within the secretariat disclosed that other senior officials were absent on the day of the visit, with some reportedly abroad on other assignments.
During the interrogation, Oluwaloni was asked about Shobowale’s whereabouts and the security breaches that allegedly occurred in her absence.
However, he reportedly could not provide substantial answers, citing the Chairman’s failure to officially hand over council affairs to him before leaving on medical leave.
Tensions within the council reportedly escalated when Shobowale could not be reached, even at the behest of Pedro, who sought to engage her directly.
Following the DSS visit, Oluwaloni led a GAC delegation on a tour of the council’s projects, apologizing for previous misunderstandings and demonstrating ongoing efforts to address community needs.
