Following the Supreme Court’s judgment granting financial autonomy to local governments across the country, the 33 council chairmen in Oyo State have decided to leave the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON).
In a communique signed by all the chairmen in the state as released to newsmen by ALGON Public Relation Officer Ibrahim Akintayo, the council chairmen unanimously declared their unalloyed support for Governor Seyi Makinde.
They described their stand as solidarity with Governor Makinde’s recent position on local government autonomy, which the Supreme Court approved.
The 33 local government chairmen unanimously attributed their unequivocal loyalty to Makinde for his exemplary leadership and unrivalled achievements since his assumption of office.
LEADERSHIP recalls that Governor Makinde, during a meeting with some stakeholders after the ruling, constituted committees to review the apex Court ruling on local government autonomy.
He stated then that, “I called this meeting because I felt that even though we have not seen the Certified True Copy of the Supreme Court’s judgment, we have to be proactive and discuss the Supreme Court’s decision as it concerns the financial autonomy of the local government councils because I believe a lacuna has been created between the decision and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that we all swore to uphold.
“The law is the law, and we should go to court when there is a conflict. But it behoves us to look for our home-grown solutions that can ensure transparency and that our people do not suffer. This is because when two elephants are fighting, the grass will suffer.”
However, the public’s reaction to Makinde’s stance on the Supreme Court ruling on local government autonomy was mixed. While some supported his stance, others criticised him.
According to the communique, the decision to operate under a new association was made to protect and provide for the people in their various local government areas.
They said the intended association of the local government executive chairmen will be registered under the relevant laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Part of the communique read: “At the general meeting of all the Local Government Councils of Oyo State, held on Saturday, 3rd August 2024 at Ibadan, it was voluntarily agreed and resolved as follows:
“To protect the interests of our people, we should immediately form an umbrella association. Such organisation will be registered under the relevant Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and its membership shall be institutional-represented by the chairmen of respective Local Government Councils.
“That the association shall remain committed to the democratic ideas of the system of Local Government as enshrined in the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
“Furthermore, the association shall ensure the delivery of real development in local councils in the overall interest of our people at the local level”.
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