By Aisha Rufai Jega
Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has expressed strong concerns over the recent Supreme Court ruling granting financial autonomy to Nigeria’s 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs).
The landmark verdict mandates that the Federal Government direct 20.60% of monthly allocations to LGAs’ exclusive accounts, bypassing state-controlled accounts. Additionally, the ruling prevents governors from dissolving elected local councils.
During an interview on Channels Television, Fayose, who identifies as a politician and elder statesman, questioned the practicality of separating state and local governments financially.
He likened their relationship to that of a mother and child, stressing the dependency of local governments on state administrations.
“You cannot take the baby from the mother,” Fayose stated, emphasizing the intrinsic ties between the two government tiers.
He argued that local government officials owe their positions to state governors, asserting, “There is nobody that can become a council chairman without a governor. Anybody telling you otherwise is wasting their time.”
Fayose highlighted the oversight role of state Houses of Assembly over local governments, noting, “The house of assembly of every state controls the activities and checks the activities of the local government.”
Reflecting on his tenure as governor, Fayose described the process of managing federal allocations, where funds were primarily handled by local government officials, workers, and pensioners, rather than politicians.
He questioned the real impact of the autonomy ruling, stating, “When you now come and say we are giving power to the local government. What power are you giving to them? No power.”
The former governor also criticized the administrative inefficiency of local governments, pointing out the frequent absence of staff from their offices, which he sees as indicative of deeper systemic issues.
Fayose’s comments underscore a significant debate on the implementation and implications of financial autonomy for local governments, highlighting the challenges of achieving effective governance at the grassroots level.
Daily Trust
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