In a significant move, a consultative assembly of stakeholders on local government administration was held in Oyo State, Nigeria, today. The assembly was convened despite the absence of the Certified True Copy (CDC) of the Supreme Court’s judgment. The honorable Attorney General was present to provide a brief on the proceedings.
Addressing the assembly, Oyo State Governor Engineer Seyi Makinde noted the prevalence of sensational headlines in the media regarding the issue, some of which claimed that “all the governors have had their hands broken,” suggesting this was the best development for Nigeria since “bread and butter.” Referencing a statement from the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), he remarked, “With this judgment, now there’s freedom in the land.”
Governor Seyi Makinde thanked the participants for attending the important consultative meeting and emphasized the need to discuss the Supreme Court’s decision concerning the financial autonomy of local government councils. He expressed concern that a lacuna had been created between the Supreme Court’s decision and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which all participants had sworn to uphold.
Reflecting on the implications of the Supreme Court ruling, Governor Seyi Makinde recalled the local government elections conducted in Oyo State since the beginning of the current administration. He reiterated his decision to dissolve the local government upon taking office on May 29, 2019, citing irregularities in the elections held into the Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs). The Supreme Court’s recent decision highlighted that only the default 774 local governments in Nigeria were recognized, adding to the confusion and structural instability.
The assembly acknowledged the need to address major challenges at the local level and develop homegrown solutions to ensure transparency and effective governance. The Governor emphasized the importance of resolving these issues to allow seamless implementation of processes and maintain harmonious operations within Oyo State.
The issue of local government elections in Oyo State was also discussed, with a clear stance against the use of caretaker committees at the local level. The assembly planned future elections to ensure proper governance and administration. the governor emphasized the state’s autonomy and readiness to handle its affairs without federal intervention. “We planned the administration in Oyo State. We don’t need the federal government to tell us what to do. We know what to do, and we know what is good for our people,” he asserted.
Reflecting on the state of local government when his administration took office in mid-2019, the governor noted the backlog of salaries, gratuities, and pensions. “We inherited a local government system with a backlog of salaries, gratuities, and pensions,” he said. The governor highlighted the significant progress made in addressing these issues, including the payment of 18 billion naira in pensions and gratuities over several years.
The administration’s achievements were outlined, including the upgrading of 209 primary health care centers, equipping 264 centers, completing 60 model schools, and renovating hundreds of primary schools. However, he acknowledged ongoing challenges, particularly the backlog of gratuities and pensions. “If we continue at this pace, it will take us more than 20 years to clear the existing backlog,” he warned.
The governor criticized past mismanagement of resources, recalling a time when Nigeria had ample funds but failed to invest in infrastructure. “Our problem is not how to share money. Our problem is how to build a bigger economy and lift our people out of hunger and poverty,” he insisted. Highlighting a specific example, the governor mentioned the state government’s decision to fix a critical federal road without reimbursement. “People do not care if a road is fixed by the federal government or the state government. They just want a good road,” he stated an example of Oyo – Iseyin through Fashola which is a federal government road that the State government fixed. “The issues we face are ours to solve,” the Governor stated, asserting that local politics should not interfere with the welfare of the community. “We will not play politics with the lives of our people here in Oyo State.”
Responding to allegations of financial misconduct, the Governor dismissed claims of misappropriating local government funds, stating that the focus should be on enhancing productivity rather than merely sharing resources. The discussion also touched on the recent Supreme Court ruling and its implications. “We need to adhere to the law we create; it’s essential for running a country effectively,” the Governor insisted, highlighting the need for lawfulness in governance.
Inviting all relevant stakeholders, including representatives from the state assembly, NULGE, NLC, NUT and other local unions, the Governor stressed the importance of collaboration. “Let us sit down, discuss, and find our way out of this situation,” He urged.
The meeting concluded with a promise to share the outcomes with the press afterward, reinforcing the commitment to transparency and local accountability in Oyo State’s governance.
Report by Tobiloba Ojetunde for IbadanCity ANNOUNCER
