By Yusuf Olukokun
The thirty-three Local Government Chairmen in Oyo State have ceased to be members of Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) due to the judgement of Supreme Court; which has granted financial autonomy to Local Governments in the country.
Ibrahim Akintayo, AlGON’s Public Relations Officer, in the communiquè signed by the thirty-three council Chairmen stated that suspending their membership was a unanimous decision in order to stand in solidarity with Governor Seyi Makinde.
It could be recalled that sometimes after the pronouncement of the judgement, Seyi Makinde, Oyo State’s Governor, went against the ruling, saying it boldly that the apex of the country lacked the locus standi on the issue of financial autonomy.
However, according to the communique issued by Oyo LG Chairmen, the motive behind moving into a new association was to provide local solutions to local problems as they deem fit; and that the new association will be registered under the provisions of Federal Republic of Nigeria.
A part of the communique noted: “At the general meeting of ALL the Local Government Councils of Oyo State, held on Saturday 3rd August 2024 at Ibadan, it was voluntarily agreed and resolved as follows: That in order to inter alia protect the interest of our people, we should forthwith form an umbrella association. Such organisation will be registered under the relevant Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and its membership shall be institutional-represented by the chairmen of respective local government councils.
“That the association shall remain committed to the democratic ideas of the system of Local Government as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
“Furthermore, the association shall ensure the delivery of the real development in local councils in the overall interest of our people at the local level.”