The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has raised concerns over the autonomy granted to local government councils, describing it as a ploy to create another bureaucracy.
The party warned that this move would lead to chaos and suffering for the masses.
At a press conference on Sunday, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Hon Debo Ologunagba, stated that any reforms to local government should be done in conjunction with state governors, not by the federal government’s fiat.
According to him, governors are responsible for local government affairs, not the federal government.
Ologunagba said, “We believe that if there are reforms to be made on the local government, it should be done in conjunction with the governors, not by the fiat of the federal government.
“But, of course, I believe that will not be the end of the matter as we speak because the people who have a responsibility for the local government are the governors.
“The federal government doesn’t see people in my village; it is the governors….
“If there is a problem in the local government, they won’t call the federal government; they will call the state government.”
Ologunagba’s comments came in response to the Supreme Court’s recent ruling granting autonomy to local government councils. The court declared that state governors cannot control funds meant for local governments and that democratically elected councils should manage their own funds.
President Bola Tinubu had hailed the Supreme Court ruling, saying it would enable Nigerians, especially the poor, to hold their local leaders accountable.
The stance by the PDP is in line with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s earlier comments, where he cautioned that the ruling could lead to suffering for the masses if not handled carefully.
Makinde had said it “behoves us to look for our own homegrown solutions that can ensure that we have transparency and that our people do not suffer. (referring to the judgment) This is because when two elephants are fighting, it is the grass that will suffer.”
