Weeds, deteriorating facilities and reported roof damage raise concerns over grassroots administration in Iwajowa, Saki, Irepo, Olorunsogo and other councils
Local government administration is supposed to represent the closest layer of governance to the people, the first point of contact between citizens and the state, and the institutional machinery through which the dividends of democracy are delivered to communities. Yet, in parts of Oke-Ogun, Oyo State, concerns over the condition of local government secretariats have raised troubling questions about the state of grassroots governance under Governor Seyi Makinde.
Reports of overgrown vegetation, deteriorating office facilities, damaged roofs and poor maintenance at council secretariats in Iwajowa, Saki West, Irepo, Olorunsogo, Kajola and ATISBO, if substantiated, would represent more than an administrative embarrassment. They would point to a fundamental challenge confronting local government administration: the apparent disconnect between the constitutional responsibilities of councils and their capacity to discharge those responsibilities effectively.
For a region widely regarded as an important agricultural hub of Oyo State, the condition of public institutions deserves serious scrutiny. Council secretariats should be centres of administrative coordination, public service delivery and community development. They should not be allowed to deteriorate to a point where their physical condition undermines public confidence in the institutions they house.
The pertinent question, therefore, is not merely why some council buildings appear neglected, but who is responsible for their maintenance, what resources have been made available for that purpose, and what mechanisms exist to ensure accountability.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHAIRPERSONS AND THE QUESTION OF AUTONOMY
One of the most contentious issues in Oyo State’s political discourse is the degree of financial and administrative independence enjoyed by local government councils.
Critics of the Makinde administration have argued that excessive control over council finances and decision-making has weakened the capacity of elected chairpersons to respond independently to the needs of their communities. They contend that when local government officials lack timely access to the resources required to execute approved projects, even routine responsibilities such as maintaining public buildings, rehabilitating roads and supporting primary healthcare facilities become difficult to fulfil.
If council chairpersons must repeatedly seek higher-level approval before undertaking essential local projects, the effectiveness of grassroots administration inevitably becomes a matter of public concern.
However, a proper assessment of this allegation requires transparent information on federal allocations, statutory deductions, state-local government financial arrangements, council expenditure and the extent of financial discretion available to each elected administration.
The people of Oke-Ogun deserve clear answers. How much revenue accrues to each council? How much is available for recurrent expenditure and capital projects? What amounts have been budgeted for the rehabilitation of secretariats, and what projects have been completed?
These are questions that should be answered with documentary evidence rather than political rhetoric.
Equally troubling are reports that some council workers have become irregular in their attendance or that certain offices appear largely inactive. Such observations warrant an independent assessment of staff attendance, working conditions, operational funding and the availability of essential equipment.
A functioning local government requires more than elected officials occupying positions. It needs motivated personnel, adequately maintained facilities, transparent financial management and a demonstrable commitment to public service.
SUBSTANTIAL ALLOCATIONS, BUT WHERE IS THE GRASSROOTS IMPACT?
The controversy becomes more significant when viewed against the substantial public revenues that accrue to Nigeria’s local governments through statutory allocations and other lawful sources.
Following the Supreme Court’s July 2024 judgment affirming local governments’ entitlement to direct federal allocations, financial autonomy has become an increasingly prominent issue in debates about grassroots governance.
The central argument for autonomy is straightforward: councils should have the institutional and financial capacity to address the needs of their communities, while remaining subject to constitutional safeguards, public-sector financial regulations and democratic accountability.
For residents of Oke-Ogun, the practical implications should be visible in everyday life. Local roads should receive appropriate maintenance. Primary healthcare centres should have the facilities required to serve their communities. Public primary schools should be maintained, while markets and other community infrastructure should receive necessary attention.
Council secretariats themselves should provide a suitable environment for public servants and residents seeking government services.
Where these basic expectations are not being met, citizens are entitled to demand explanations from the relevant authorities.
Nevertheless, the existence of federal allocations alone does not establish that every council has sufficient funds for every proposed project, nor does it prove that particular officials have misappropriated public money. A credible assessment must examine actual receipts, expenditure records, contractual obligations, recurrent costs and completed projects.
The responsibility for demonstrating prudent financial management rests with the relevant public institutions, which should make their records accessible to appropriate oversight bodies and the public.
For Oke-Ogun, the immediate priority should be a transparent, council-by-council assessment of the condition of public facilities and the resources available to rehabilitate them.
ADEKANMBI’S POSITION ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTONOMY
The debate has also acquired a political dimension ahead of the 2027 governorship election, with attention turning to the positions of prospective candidates on the future of local government administration.
Bimbo Adekanmbi, the governorship candidate of the Accord Party of Movement (APM), has been criticised by political opponents over an alleged statement that he would not grant local government autonomy during a radio interview.
If accurately quoted and presented in its proper context, such a declaration would merit serious public scrutiny because it concerns the financial and administrative independence of the third tier of government.
However, the precise wording of the interview, the context in which the statement was made and any subsequent clarification should be established before drawing definitive conclusions about the candidate’s position.
The electorate deserves an unambiguous explanation from Adekanmbi: What is his understanding of constitutionally guaranteed local government autonomy? Would his administration support direct access to statutory allocations in accordance with the law? What safeguards would he introduce to prevent financial mismanagement and ensure that public resources translate into tangible improvements in local communities?
These are legitimate questions that should be addressed through a public policy debate rather than personalised political attacks.
Similarly, Governor Makinde’s administration should provide a clear account of its position on local government autonomy, the operational relationship between the state and the councils, and the steps taken to improve the delivery of grassroots services.
The issue is too consequential to be reduced to campaign slogans or partisan accusations.
OKE-OGUN DESERVES FUNCTIONAL LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
From Saki to Iseyin, Iwajowa to Olorunsogo, and Irepo to Kajola, residents have a legitimate interest in the condition of their public institutions and the effectiveness of the governments entrusted with their welfare.
The way forward begins with a comprehensive assessment of council infrastructure, publication of relevant budgetary and expenditure records, clear maintenance schedules and measurable targets for improving service delivery.
Where buildings have suffered roof damage, repairs should be prioritised. Where vegetation has overtaken public premises, proper maintenance should be undertaken. Where offices lack essential equipment or workers face operational constraints, the responsible authorities should identify the problems and provide time-bound remedies.
Local government chairpersons must also be prepared to account for their stewardship. Autonomy cannot mean freedom from scrutiny, just as accountability should not become a pretext for undermining the lawful responsibilities of elected councils.
The Federal Government, the Oyo State Government, local government administrations and relevant oversight institutions all have roles to play in ensuring that public resources are properly managed and that constitutional responsibilities are fulfilled.
As the 2027 elections approach, Oke-Ogun residents should demand specific commitments from every governorship candidate on local government financing, infrastructure maintenance, primary healthcare, education, rural roads and public accountability.
Ultimately, the test of governance is not the intensity of campaign rhetoric but the quality of life citizens experience and the condition of the public institutions that serve them.
Oke-Ogun’s people deserve local government secretariats that function effectively, councils that respond to community needs and an administrative system in which public funds produce measurable results.
The question before the political leadership is whether it can provide credible answers, demonstrate accountability and ensure that grassroots governance fulfils its constitutional purpose.
