The 33 Local Government chairmen in Oyo State have announced their decision to form a new association aimed at promoting the interests of their communities.
In a communiqué released after their meeting in Ibadan on Saturday, the chairmen 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.”
The communiqué, signed by Mr. Ibrahim Akintayo, the Public Relations Officer for the Oyo LG chairmen, added: “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.”
The chairmen also resolved 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, they stated: “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, which stated 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.
