I have read a report credited to the Speaker of the Oyo state House of Assembly who also doubles as the Chairman of the Nigerian Conference of Speakers about the position of the Conference and by extension, the Governors, with respect to the burning issue of Local Government Autonomy.
I have read the statement of the Oyo state Speaker, Adebo Ogundoyin several times and I must say that I am surprised, disappointed and at the same time, I am neither surprised nor disappointed.
I am surprised and disappointed because I know the gentleman fairly well and I can say that he does possess a good level of intelligence and maturity.
I must say that he is the member representing Ibarapa East, my own Local Government, in the Oyo state House of Assembly.
I am however not surprised and neither am I disappointed because I know vividly well that there is no way Adebo Ogundoyin will have an opinion different from the opinion of his Governor, Seyi Makinde.
Governor Seyi Makinde have never hidden his disdain for the Independence of Local Governments.
In fact, every statements uttered by Debo Ogundoyin in the address he delivered in Abuja are just a mere re-echoing of the position of Governor Seyi Makinde regarding discussions about freedom for the 774 Local Governments in Nigeria.
I will not be surprised if the paper were vetted by the Governor before the Speaker delivered them or if the paper did not emmanate from those who writes for the Governor.
Let me deal with the points raised by Ogundoyin against the granting of Autonomy to Local Governments.
The first point I can distil from his position paper is his postulations that the Federal Government may use the Local Governments against the states if they are granted full Autonomy.
Though, he didn’t mention how he thought the Federal Government can use the Local Governments against the states and neither did he state for what reason, yet, I think it is apposite to say here that such line of thinking is baseless.
It seems the states would rather prefer a situation where they will continue to enslave the Local Governments against the provisions of section 7 of the Constitution of Nigeria, 1999 as amended according to the Oyo state Speaker.
It is proper to ask him if the states have been using the Local Governments against the Federal Government since they have continued to enslave them?
It is unfortunate that Nigerian Conference of Speakers will prioritize politics above developments at the third tier of Government.
Ogundoyin also raised the point that full Autonomy for the Local Governments will trigger massive corruption and raise issues of accountability and transparency!
This is laughable to say the least.
Please, where is the accountability and transparency under the present arrangements where the Governors have been doing whatever pleases them with the funds meant for the Local Governments?
Oh! The Speakers prefer a situation where the state Governors will perpetually plunder resources of the Local Governments and they will also take some crumbs in the name of oversights to a situation where the Chairmen will be free from the hold of the Governors through the States Houses of Assembly?
It is true that there are always bad eggs and there will always be, as far as our societies are concerned.
However, I do not think the Speakers need to turn themselves to the mouthpiece of the Anti corruption Agencies by claiming that the Agencies will be overwhelmed with work as a result of ” massive corruption” envisaged to follow the granting of full Autonomy to the Local Governments.
In fact, Ogundoyin spoke as if our Local Governments are breeding homes for thieves.
I do not agree with the Speakers that the Anti corruption Agencies will lack the capacity to deal with the fears of any ” engendered massive corruption” which might follow the granting of full Autonomy to the Local Governments.
I also see that the Speaker raised the fear about inadequate resources for urban Local Governments.
” Ajala ta lo na e…” Who should we blame for the draining of resources accriable to the Local Governments?
The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, places motor parks and other public utilities under the Local Governments.
I ask the Oyo state Speaker to tell you world how his Governor, Seyi Makinde have been handling resources from the Motor parks in Oyo state?
Has he not completely taken over the resources from the Motor parks through the Parks Management System?
I disagree with the notion that any Local Government in Nigeria will have problems with resources.
Once the Local Governments are weaned from the strangulations of the state Governors, they will survive through Internally Generated Revenues and the monthly Allocations.
If anyone will ask for the maintenance of the status quo in the Local Governments, it shouldn’t be the Speaker of the Oyo state House of Assembly.
Local Governments in Oyo state are a typical example of what a Local Government would never wish to be.
Governor Seyi Makinde, since his assumption of office, five years ago, have continued to dip his hands in the funds of the Local Governments and illegally so.
The Governor confirmed publicly that he is surely monitoring the affairs of the 33 Local Governments, including how their funds are used.
It is still fresh in our memories how the Chairman of Atiba Local Government confirmed that the rehabilitation of the Akesan Market was done by the Governor with Local Government funds.
The Chairman of Ido Local Government also said the same about the Omi Adio – Ido Road.
It is public knowledge that Governor Makinde doesn’t release full Allocation to the Chairmen in Oyo state.
As I write this piece, infrastructures in the 33 Local Governments in Oyo state have completely collapsed.
Is that what the Oyo state Speaker would rather wish we continue?
God forbid.
When I read about the commendable steps taken so far by the Attorney general of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi SAN, I had a moderate enthusiasm.
I controlled my excitement because I know the battle ahead of him is tense.
I know that his sheer determination alone will not see the matter through.
I was sure the Governors will fight this battle dirty.
I know that it would require the unflinching and unyielding determination of the president to see the matter to a logical conclusion.
When the chips are down, as they will surely be, will the president bulge or will he stand firm?
As for the Conference of Speakers, I laugh at them.
How will you be surprised that a Body who even opposed to Its own Independence will fight to guarantee the Independence of Local Governments?
Most, if not all of this gentlemen operate as yes men to their Governors.
They are what they are courtesy of their Governors.
I must say here however that I doubt if the position of the Oyo Speaker represents that of the Conference as a whole not to talk of it being the thoughts of all the Governors in Nigeria.
It is public knowledge that some state Governors have indicated their commitments to Independence of Local Governments before now.
I think Ogundoyins position is better taken as the position of Makinde.
The coming days will definitely expose those who share such unfortunate position.
There are no longer men of means who are willing to make sacrifices.
If the Autonomy for Local Governments will be achievable, the president must either persuade or conquer the state Governors.
The Conference of Nigerian Speakers are just playing the pipe according tunes dictated by their masters.
SOLA ABEGUNDE.
