The 33 council chairmen in Oyo State have withdrawn from the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) following the Supreme Court’s ruling that grants fiscal autonomy to local governments nationwide. This decision reflects the chairmen’s response to the judgment, which empowers local governments with greater financial independence.
In a communiqué, the 33 council chairmen in Oyo State unanimously declared their support for Governor Seyi Makinde. The Public Relations Officer of the state’s ALGON, Ibrahim Akintayo, explained that their stance is a show of solidarity with Governor Makinde’s position on local government autonomy, as recently affirmed by the Supreme Court ruling. The chairmen’s decision reflects their alignment with the governor’s approach to implementing fiscal independence for local governments in the state.
They attributed their loyalty to Makinde for his exemplary leadership and unrivaled achievements since his assumption of office.
Following the Supreme Court’s ruling on local government autonomy, Governor Seyi Makinde held a meeting with key stakeholders to address the implications of the judgment. During the meeting, Governor Makinde announced the formation of committees tasked with reviewing the ruling and its impact on local governance in Oyo State.
Governor Makinde emphasized the need to be proactive, stating, “I called this meeting because, even though we have not yet received the Certified True Copy of the Supreme Court’s judgment, we must discuss the decision and its implications on the financial autonomy of local government councils. I believe a gap has been created between the court’s decision and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which we are all committed to upholding.”
This move underscores the governor’s commitment to ensuring that the state’s response to the ruling aligns with both legal obligations and the state’s governance framework.
