Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, has addressed concerns regarding his position on local government autonomy, clarifying his full support for local governments as the third tier of government. Speaking at the commissioning of the newly constructed Local Government House and Staff Training School at the Oyo State Secretariat in Ibadan, Governor Makinde emphasized that he has no objections to elected officials carrying out their constitutional responsibilities.
In response to allegations of his opposition to local government independence, Makinde dismissed such insinuations as ironic. He highlighted that, under his administration, the state has established the first modern facility dedicated to local government operations, stating, “If this is what it means to destroy local government, we will continue to do it so that critics have nothing more to say.”
The governor underscored the necessity of rebuilding trust between leaders and the public, noting that such gaps can foster misinformation and divisive narratives. He reiterated that he does not oppose elected representatives but cautioned against creating unnecessary constitutional conflicts among different branches of government.
Makinde reaffirmed his dedication to ensuring local government authorities effectively deliver the advantages of democracy to the grassroots level. He urged the public to recognize genuine adversaries instead of turning against allies.
Addressing staffing issues within local government areas, the governor responded to a request from the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) regarding 2,000 local government workers who retired without being replaced. He instructed the conversion of ad hoc staff across Oyo’s 33 local government areas into full-time employees, directing the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters to complete this process within four weeks. The governor stated that this conversion would help alleviate staffing shortages and enhance coordination between the state and local governments in achieving common objectives.
