The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has launched a scathing attack on Governor Seyi Makinde for his condemnation of the Supreme Court’s recent judgment on local government autonomy. The APC accused Makinde of being selfish, clueless, and anti-people for opposing the verdict, which has been widely applauded by the general public.
In a move aimed at curbing the mismanagement of local government funds by state governors, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu instructed the Attorney-General of the Federation to approach the Supreme Court. The Court’s ruling last week declared it illegal for governors to control the finances of the third tier of government.
The APC statement, issued by Publicity Secretary Olawale Sadare, urged Governor Makinde to adhere to the rule of law and focus on delivering good governance to the people of Oyo State. The party accused Makinde of feeding fat on the financial resources of local governments through the Joint Account arrangement, with trillions of naira in allocations and internally generated revenue unaccounted for since May 2019.
The APC also criticized Makinde for blaming the Tinubu administration for the hunger and anger in the land, arguing that the governor should be held accountable for his lack of visible achievements in key sectors such as agriculture.
The party further accused Makinde of bringing virtually every critical institution in the state under his authority, including the Legislative Arm, Labour, and Traditional institutions. The APC warned the governor against attempting to drag the Presidency and Judiciary into disrepute, stating that Nigeria operates under a constitutional democracy that requires respect for the Constitution and the rights of citizens and authorities.
Governor Makinde’s stance on local government autonomy has raised concerns about his commitment to decentralizing power and resources. The APC’s criticism highlights the ongoing political tensions in Oyo State and the need for a more collaborative approach to governance that prioritizes the interests of the people over political agendas.
As the debate over local government autonomy continues, it remains to be seen whether Governor Makinde will heed the APC’s call for adherence to the rule of law and good governance. The outcome of this dispute could have far-reaching implications for the future of local government administration in Oyo State and beyond.
