Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, has expressed concern regarding the Supreme Court’s recent ruling affirming the autonomy of local governments to receive monthly allocations directly from the federation account.
Despite the court’s judgment, Fayose believes that state Houses of Assembly and governors will continue to hinder local government autonomy.
Speaking on Sunday’s edition of Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today,’ the Peoples Democratic Party chieftain highlighted the ongoing influence of governors over local government affairs.
Fayose stated, “I am not a lawyer. I am a politician and by God’s grace today, I am an elder statesman. While I love and do not believe that any government should take local government funds, may I say to you very clearly this evening that you cannot take the baby from the mother. There is nobody that can become a council chairman without a governor. Anybody telling you otherwise is wasting his time.”
He further explained that the state House of Assembly controls local government activities and that funds from the federal account are managed by non-political figures and council officials, under the oversight of the local government commissioner.
“When you now come and say we are giving power to the local government, what power are you giving to them? No power,” he added.
The former governor also criticized the work ethic of local government officials, suggesting that many do not take their responsibilities seriously.
“Go to the council meeting on Wednesday or Friday, you will not find 10 per cent of the staff of the local government in the office. They don’t come. My name is Ayo Fayose and I want them to dispute this. They don’t come to work.”
He also pointed out the political dynamics at play, stating, “Any council chairman who says ‘Money is coming to me, I will disrespect my governor,’ the House of Assembly will tell you to go and disobey him inside your house. This is because you can never even be a council chairman without the governor standing up for you. The House of Assembly regulates your activities.”
