Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, has expressed concerns about the Supreme Court judgment affirming local governments’ right to receive monthly allocations directly from the federation account.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Sunday, the People’s Democratic Party chieftain emphasized that state houses of assembly and governors will remain obstacles to local government autonomy despite the ruling.
Fayose highlighted that grassroots individuals cannot become local government chairmen without gubernatorial support, suggesting that the court and federal government cannot fully sever the dependence of local governments on state authorities.
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“I am not a lawyer. I am a politician, and, by God’s grace, today I am an elder statesman. While I believe no government should take local government funds, you cannot take the baby from the mother. Nobody can become council chairman without a governor. Anybody telling you otherwise is wasting their time,” Fayose said.
He further explained that state houses of assembly control and oversee local government activities. Reflecting on his tenure as governor, he noted, “When you receive money from the account, some people manage the account.
They are not politicians or the council chairman. The local government commissioner represents the governor, while all other officials are local government workers and pensioners who appropriate the funds. Giving power to the local government is illusory because real power lies elsewhere.”
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Fayose also criticized local government officials for not taking their responsibilities seriously, pointing out that many workers are often absent from their duties. He remarked, “Any council chairman who disrespects their governor will be reminded by the House of Assembly that their position relies on gubernatorial support. The House of Assembly regulates local government activities.”
He added, “Go to a council meeting on Wednesday or Friday, and you won’t find 10 percent of the staff in the office. They don’t come to work. When attempts are made to address this, NULGE and local government leaders appeal to the governor.
They threaten not to vote for you. Local governments operate this way, while the state is more effective administratively. At the local level, people just collect money, often not residing in the state but still receiving funds.”