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BREAKING: Makinde Takes Fresh Stand On Supreme Court Local Government Autonomy ‘s Ruling, Sets Review Committees
Eaglessightnews reports that Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has established two committees to address the Supreme Court ruling on financial autonomy for local governments.
This development follows the Supreme Court ruling on Local Government Autonomy last week.
The two committees consist of the Technical and Legal Committees who are tasked to review the judgement and propose a plan for implementation.
The committees were set up during an emergency consultative stakeholders meeting held at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office on Monday, July 15.
Present at the meeting were members of the Oyo State chapter of the Association of Local Government Administration (ALGON), the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Abiodun Aikomo, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Otunba Ademola Ojo, and Chairman House of Assembly Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters.
Also in attendance were representatives from the Nigeria Labor Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), and Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP).
Governor Makinde lamented that the Supreme Court ruling has created a lacuna between the decision and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“I believe a lacuna has been created between the decision and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We all swore to uphold the constitution, but the law is the law. If the law is in conflict, it behoves on us to look for our own home-grown solution that can ensure that we have transparency and operate with our people,” he said.
The Governor explained that the stakeholders’ engagement aimed to discuss the decision of the Supreme Court as it concerns financial autonomy for the local government councils.
He emphasized that the problem confronting the nation was not how to share money but how to become more productive and create economic prosperity.
Makinde noted that before his administration came on board, leave bonuses were last paid in 2017, but his government paid those of 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023.
He highlighted some of the efforts to deliver good governance at the grassroots, including the upgrading of 209 Primary Healthcare facilities, equipping 264 others, completing 60 model schools, constructing and renovating hundreds of primary school classrooms, and fixing some roads.
The Governor expressed concerns about the challenges posed by the Supreme Court judgement, citing the need for transparency and accountability in the management of local government funds.
He emphasized that the state’s priority is to ensure economic prosperity and good governance at the grassroots level.
Makinde recalled that since the beginning of his administration, two local government elections have been conducted, and the Supreme Court has basically said that governors don’t have the right to dissolve the councils.
He noted that the same Supreme Court has said that only 774 LGAs in Nigeria are recognized, creating confusion in the land.
The Governor explained that the state has been working collaboratively with the LGs to deliver dividends of democracy to the people.
He stated that the local government is owing about N55 billion in pension and gratuities, and the state is developing infrastructure to push the economy and raise the living standard of the people.
Makinde emphasized that the problem is not how to share money but how to bake a bigger cake and bring the people out of hunger and poverty.
He noted that the people do not care who fixes the roads, whether it is the FG, state government, or LG, they just want to see good roads.
The Governor cited the example of the Oyo-Iseyin road through Fasola, which is a Federal Government road but was fixed by the state government.
He stated that he has written to the FG for approval and has the letter.
Makinde announced that the state would delay the implementation of the Supreme Court ruling for the next 90 days, which is three FAACs from now.
He emphasized that the law is at the state’s own disposal, and they would prioritize their people.
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Abiodun Aikomo, and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Otunba Ademola Ojo, addressed newsmen during a press briefing.
They explained that the two newly set up committees have been tasked with reviewing the specifics of the Supreme Court ruling and proposing a detailed implementation plan.
The committees have been given four to six weeks to conclude their review and submit recommendations.
Barrister Aikomo noted that the state has yet to receive the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Supreme Court Judgement.
He emphasized that legal experts have been asked toThere was a problem generating a response. Please try again later.
