The Osun house of assembly has passed the bills amending some sections of the state laws on electoral commission and administration of LGAs.

This will allow elected local government chairmen to appoint heads for Local Council Development Areas in the state.

The amended bills are the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (amendment 1), 2024, and the Osun State Local Government Areas (creation and administration) (amendment 7), 2024.

The amended bills passed the third reading during the plenary on Tuesday.

Adewale Egbedun, the speaker of the Osun house of assembly, said the bills would be sent to Ademola Adeleke, governor of the state, for his assent.

In a statement, Olamide Tiamiyu, chief press secretary (CPS) to Egbedun, said the amended bills were initiated to align the state laws with the recent judgment of the supreme court on LGA autonomy.

Tiamiyu said the new legislation confers elected LGA chairpersons with the power to appoint “chief administrators” into the local council development areas (LCDAs) and the six area councils in their respective jurisdictions.

“The Osun State Independent Electoral Commission Bill seeks to regulate the state’s electoral body to conduct elections in the recognised 30 local government areas,” the statement reads.

“It also empowers the elected local government chairmen to appoint chief administrators into the Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) and the six area councils within their respective jurisdictions.

“Furthermore, the Local Government Creation and Administration Bill provides the elected local government chairmen with the authority to make appointments that will enable them to effectively discharge their duties.

“The chief administrators appointed to the LCDAs and area councils will work closely with the chairmen and report back to them.

“The passage of these bills is seen as a significant step towards strengthening the autonomy and decision-making capabilities of local governments in Osun state.”