Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, expressed strong views on local government autonomy during a recent interview with Channels Television.
Fayose, known for his candid commentary on political matters, was unequivocal in his stance, stating, “You cannot take the baby from the mother. There is nobody that will become council chairman without the governor. Anybody telling you otherwise is wasting his time.”
Fayose’s remarks highlight the deeply entrenched influence of state governors in local government affairs in Nigeria. His metaphor of the “baby” and the “mother” underscores the dependency of local councils on state governors for their political survival and operational effectiveness. This assertion casts a critical light on the feasibility of true local government autonomy, a topic that has been a subject of intense debate in Nigerian political circles.
The former governor’s comments come in the wake of the Supreme Court’s ruling affirming the autonomy of local governments, a decision celebrated by many as a significant step towards decentralizing power and improving grassroots governance. However, Fayose’s perspective suggests a practical challenge to this legal victory, pointing to the political reality where governors wield substantial influence over local councils.
Fayose’s statement also raises questions about the democratic process at the local level. If the selection and functioning of council chairmen are heavily influenced by governors, it undermines the principle of local self-governance and could perpetuate a system of patronage and control. This scenario might hinder the development of independent and accountable local government administrations, which are crucial for effective grassroots development….Viêw _ More
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