The 33 local government chairmen in Oyo State have announced their decision to create a new association aimed at promoting the interests of their communities.
According to The PUNCH, this decision was made public in a communiqué released after their meeting in Ibadan on Saturday.
The communiqué, signed by Mr. Ibrahim Akintayo, the Public Relations Officer for the Oyo LG chairmen, did not reveal the name of the new association or specify whether the chairmen are withdrawing from the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria.
The communiqué stated: “At the general meeting of all the local government councils of Oyo State, held on Saturday, 3rd August 2024, in Ibadan, it was voluntarily agreed and resolved as follows: That to inter alia protect the interest of our people, we should forthwith form an umbrella association.
“Such an organization 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 real development in local councils in the overall interest of our people at the local level.”
The chairmen also expressed their support for Governor Seyi Makinde, highlighting his leadership and accomplishments since taking office.
This development follows a recent Supreme Court ruling affirming the autonomy of local governments.
The court ruled that allocations due to local governments should be sent directly to them from the Federation Allocation Account Committee and that state governments do not have the authority to manage these federal allocations on behalf of local governments.
In response to the ruling, Governor Makinde expressed his dissatisfaction and has set up committees to address the implications of the judgment.
