Recent discourse from a diverse range of commentators has incredibly centered on the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling that emancipates Nigeria’s third tier of government from the overwhelming influence of state governors. The ripple effects of this development are particularly pronounced with concomitant attention in Oyo State, where Governor Seyi Makinde’s stance drawn significant attention.
Governor Makinde’s position on local government autonomy is abundantly clear that he does not support such financial autonomy. The governor made his position known even at a delicate period where many often prefer to shroud their true intentions, only to pivot when convenient, Governor Makinde’s forthrightness is refreshing. During the tension soaked 2023 campaign, he openly opposed the notion of local government autonomy, a position he maintained unwaveringly.
For me, this is commendable, as it embodies the proverbial wisdom, “bi ogun eni ba dani loju, a sa ni”. Despite his unusual stance, Governor Makinde’s electoral victory was swift and resounding, surpassing the ease with which any other governor secured their mandate. At least, he was the first governor declared by electoral body re-elected, notwithstanding the bogus size of Oyo state.
It is worth recalling that that the 9th National Assembly captured about 44 items in the last constitutional amendment, which required a two- thirds majority from state assemblies for passage, local government autonomy was among them.
Having covered several sessions of the Joint National Assembly Committee on Constitutional Amendment, co-chaired by DSP Ovie Omo-Agege and Rt. Hon. Idris Wase, I observed firsthand as at the time clerks from state assemblies gathered in Abuja to collect these proposals for deliberation in their respective assemblies. Oyo state was being anticipated would endorse local government autonomy; however, this expectation was regrettably unmet.
It presupposes that, given the huge influence of governors on the state assemblies, if the exercise is conducted ten times, it will continue to fall flat. So, the Presidency, through the nation’s attorney general Prince Lateef Fagbemi, appears to have recognised the imperative for decisive action. As the adage goes, “If a bird learns to fly without perching, the hunter must learn to shoot without missing.” He dragged the state governments to the apex court, the rest is now history.
To say Governor Makinde disapproves of the Supreme Court’s ruling, is like stressing the obvious, so what would anyone expect the 33 council chairmen to do?. Obviously to follow their ‘maker’. Should majority of commentators confronted with similar circumstance, they are likely to act in similar manner. Therefore, me thinks rather than subjecting them to condemnation, what they need is our help and supports. I do not envy them- “Oba ran ni nse, Odo Oba Kun, Ise Oba kose maje, Odo Oba kose rolu”.
It baffles me how a local government chairman, especially from Oke-Ogun, Ibarapa, and the hinterlands of Ogbomoso could condone actions that stifle their autonomy and retard their communities’ development under the guise of loyalty. How can they justify sacrificing their communities’ progress and enabling the ‘siphoning’ of local government resources under the pretext of fidelity?
Assuming without conceding that the previous collaborations between local governments and state governor is to develop some critical sectors in the state, of what significance are the facilities built by such unholy joint efforts in urban centres to the people in Ilero, Kishi, Tede, Iwo-Ate and other hinterlands with majority of roads that demand local government attention in deplorable conditions?.
In my journalistic endeavours, I have witnessed numerous anomalies, particularly among local government chairmen. One incident that lingers in my memory is when a local government chairman hosted the wife of a former governor in the state, In a public display of subservience, he prostrated fully before her, right on the premises of the local government secretariat. Only God knows what some sycophantic chairmen do when they see their governor. Such servile behaviour perpetuates a culture of personality worship and systemic weakness that we should collectively resist.
So, how do we chart a different course? Rather than resorting to outright condemnation, we should subject these chairmen to rigorous scrutiny, making it exceedingly difficult for them to become willing captives to any single individual at the expense of the broader Oyo State populace. I have read a number of letters written to some of these council bosses by stakeholders and vigilant citizens, irrespective of party affiliations, this trend must be sustained. We should not only do that but closely monitoring the allocations that flow to local governments and demanding accountability. When the scrutiny becomes too intense to ignore, we shall separate the legimate council chairmen from the errand boys.
Dayo Ogunsola hails from Ilero, Kajola Local Government, and writes from Abuja.
