Governor of Lagos State facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Governor of Lagos State |
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Flag of Lagos State
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| Executive Branch of the Lagos State Government | |
| Style | His Excellency |
| Member of | Lagos State Executive Council |
| Residence | Lagos House |
| Seat | Ikeja |
| Appointer | Direct popular election or via succession from deputy governorship |
| Term length | Four years
renewable once
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| Constituting instrument | Constitution of Nigeria |
| Formation | 27 May 1967 |
| First holder | Mobolaji Johnson |
| Deputy | Deputy Governor of Lagos State |
The Governor of Lagos State is the main leader of the government in Lagos State, Nigeria. This important role means the governor is in charge of the state's daily activities. They are often called the "number one citizen" of Lagos State.
The Constitution of Nigeria is like a rulebook for the country. It says that the governor has the power to make sure state laws are followed. The governor also chooses many important officials for the state government. These choices must be approved by the members of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Contents
What the Governor Does
Making Laws Happen
The Constitution gives the governor a special power called the veto. When the Lagos State House of Assembly passes a new law, it must go to the governor first. The governor has two choices:
- They can sign the law. If they sign it, the bill becomes a real law.
- They can veto the law. This means they say no to it and send it back to the Assembly. The bill does not become law unless the Assembly votes again. They need a two-thirds vote to overrule the governor's veto.
Running the State
The governor is the top boss of the state government's executive branch. This means they are responsible for making sure all state laws are carried out properly.
The governor appoints many people to help run the state. These include commissioners and other state officers. The Lagos State House of Assembly must approve these appointments. The governor can usually remove these officials if needed. However, the Assembly can sometimes limit this power for certain roles.
The governor can also give executive orders. These are special instructions that help direct how the state government works. These orders are based on state laws or the powers given to the governor by the Constitution.
Working with Courts
The governor also chooses the chief judge for Lagos State. However, the Lagos State House of Assembly must agree with this choice. Getting the Assembly's approval can be a big step for governors.
Governors can also grant pardons. This means they can forgive someone for a crime or reduce their punishment. This is sometimes done near the end of a governor's time in office.
Helping with New Laws
The Constitution says the governor cannot also be a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly. So, the governor cannot directly suggest new laws in the Assembly.
However, the governor can still help shape new laws. This is especially true if their political party has many members in the Assembly. For example, the governor can write a draft of a law and ask an Assembly member to introduce it. The governor can also influence laws by sending regular reports to the Assembly. They might also threaten to veto a law if the Assembly does not make changes they want.
How a Governor is Chosen
Who Can Be Governor?
The people of Lagos State directly vote for their governor. The governor serves a four-year term and can be re-elected once. The Deputy Governor is the only other state official chosen by direct vote.
The 1999 Constitution of Nigeria explains the rules for becoming governor. To be a governor, a person must:
- Be a Nigerian citizen who was born in Lagos State.
- Be at least 35 years old.
- Be a member of a registered political party. This party must also support their campaign.
- Have at least the West Africa School Certificate or an equivalent qualification.
Past and Present Governors
To see a full list of past governors, you can visit the List of Governors of Lagos State page.
See also
- List of state governors of Nigeria
