Local Government Council chairman in Oyo State have withdrawn their membership of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON).
The 33 Chairmen in a communique made available to Nigerian NewsDirect disclosed that the decision is predicated on the recent Supreme Court’s judgement granting financial autonomy to local governments across the country.
The Chairmen had earlier declared that they will not abide by the judgement but instead continue to receive their funds through the state government.
Recall that the Oyo State’s governor had during a meeting with some stakeholders after the court ruling, constituted committees to review the apex court’s ruling on local government autonomy.
“I called this meeting because I felt that even though we have not seen the Certified True Copy of the judgement of the Supreme Court, we have to be proactive and discuss the decision of the Supreme Court as it concerns 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 when there is a conflict, yes, we should go to the court. But it behooves on us to look for our own home-grown solutions that can ensure that we have transparency and that our people do not suffer. This is because when two elephants are fighting, it is the grass that will suffer,” the Governor said.
Makinde’s stand on the Supreme Court ruling had however received mixed reactions from the public with some supporting his stance and others criticising the governor.
ALGON’s Public Relation Officer in the state, Ibrahim Akintayo, described the Chairmen’s stand as solidarity to Governor Makinde’s recent stand on local government autonomy as ruled by the apex court.
They attributed their unequivocal loyalty to Makinde for his exemplary leadership and unrivalled achievements since his assumption to office.
According to the communique, the decision to move to a new association was arrived at due to the need to protect and provide for the people in their various local government areas.
It also said that the intended association for 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:”
“That in order to inter alia protect the interest of our people, we should forthwith 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.”