Atoyebi Hails Planned Tinubu’s Executive Order On LG Autonomy As Necessary

Convener of the BAT Ideological Group, Hon. Bamidele Atoyebi, has described President Bola Tinubu’s move to enforce local government financial autonomy through an executive order as a necessary step toward strengthening grassroots governance and development.

Atoyebi made the remarks while responding to questions on the President’s warning to state governors that an executive order could be issued to compel compliance with the Supreme Court judgement directing that statutory allocations to local government councils be paid directly into their accounts.

The Supreme Court had ruled that funds meant for the third tier of government should no longer pass through state governments, but implementation of the judgement has reportedly been uneven across several states.

According to Atoyebi, effective service delivery at the grassroots level depends largely on the financial independence of local governments. He said councils required direct access to their allocations in order to carry out core responsibilities such as the provision of basic infrastructure, healthcare, water supply and local security.

He noted that many local governments currently lacked the capacity to function optimally due to financial constraints, adding that the situation has limited development in rural and semi-urban communities. He argued that enforcing financial autonomy would help clarify governance responsibilities and improve accountability at the local level.

Atoyebi cited Lagos State as an example of a system where local governments have operated with relative financial independence, stating that such arrangements have helped bring governance closer to the people.

He also observed that several local government councils across the country were overstretched and suggested that the creation of additional Local Council Development Areas could improve administrative efficiency and enhance grassroots governance.

The BAT Ideological Group convener further disclosed that his organisation has introduced a community-based initiative, known as BAT Home-Cell, aimed at identifying and addressing local needs through smaller, more accessible engagement units.

He urged the Federal Government to ensure effective enforcement of the Supreme Court ruling, noting that consistent implementation would strengthen governance delivery and promote sustainable development at the grassroots level.