By Sola Abegunde
The arguments around financial autonomy for Local Governments has taken the center stage in the discussions shaping the outcome of the 2027 Gubernatorial election in Oyo state.
Governor Seyi Makinde and his anointed Gubernatorial candidate, Bimbo Adekanmbi have continued to maintain the stance that financial autonomy for Local Governments is impossible, despite the Judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria to the contrary.
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On the other hand, Oyo APC Gubernatorial candidate, Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli has continued to maintain that the only path to a better Oyo state is to grant full financial autonomy to the 33 Local Governments.
Citizens and observers within and outside Oyo state are buying into the arguments of the APC on a daily basis and as a result of that, Governor Seyi Makinde, in his characteristics manner, invited the 33 Local Government Chairmen for a meeting.
At the meeting, the Governor pleaded with the Local Government Chairmen to sign a fraudulently prepared document which on the surface, supports disbursement of Local Government funds by the state Government.
According to the information at my disposal, the Chairmen of Oriire, Surulere and Ogbomoso South allegedly refused to sign the fraudulent document and that is the reason they are having issues in their respective Local Governments.
I definitely will do a comprehensive report on the purported suspension of the Chairmen and the threat to take these Chairmen before the Oyo state Anti-corruption Agency, OYACA.
I dare the Oyo state Government to take this perilous step.
For now, let me sound a note of warning to the Chairmen who signed the fraudulent document.
They just wasted their time. The only document that will avail Governor Seyi Makinde is a comprehensive bank statement, detailing how funds were received from Abuja on behalf of the 33 Local Governments and how they were received by the 33 Local Governments and expended by them.
The current attempt at bringing an Oluwole document to the public is dead on arrival.
Not only that, such a fake document, signed by them is a very good material to be used against them at the appropriate place and time.
There is no peace for the wicked.
Why is it that now, that the arguments around financial autonomy for Local Governments is gaining grounds, Governor Seyi Makinde wants to release 200 million Naira for a Local Government where the Chairman is ready to sign a fraudulent document?
I thought Governor Seyi Makinde said inflation has made the inflow of tripled monthly allocations to States and Local Governments meaningless?
So, we have this kind of money in Oyo state?
I am waiting for them to bring out the fraudulent document.
EFCC ya.
Sola Abegunde.
