Seyi Makinde, Governor of Oyo State, has acknowledged the importance of the recent Supreme Court ruling granting financial autonomy to local governments (LGs) in Nigeria. However, he cautioned that LG autonomy alone is not a silver bullet for the nation’s challenges.
Makinde made these remarks on Friday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, while addressing a gathering of local government officials. He acknowledged the ruling as a “victory for the grassroots,” but emphasized the need for a more comprehensive approach to national development.
“While LG autonomy is a crucial step, we must address other structural issues hindering progress,” Governor Makinde said. He highlighted the need for reforms in areas such as security, infrastructure development, and revenue allocation across all tiers of government.
The Supreme Court’s landmark decision empowers LGs to manage their finances independently, potentially boosting their capacity to deliver essential services to their communities. However, Makinde’s comments reflect a concern that this newfound autonomy may not translate to meaningful change without tackling other systemic problems.
“So the judgment of the Supreme Court, there is local government autonomy, financial autonomy, and all of that, and I will still say it, I think it’s just a distraction. We must face the real issues that we have,” Makinde said in a Friday video post while addressing the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) led by its National President Chris Isiguzo which had conferred on him the Grand Patron of the NUJ.
“And the issue that we have is that we are not producing enough. We are not productive. Whatever it is that we are sharing in Abuja, which is what this FACC is all about, Whatever is in Abuja, share it with the local government. Is that our problem?
“Maybe it is a part of the problem, but yes, we want to have value for what is being shared. But our real problem is productivity. So now this is going to be the discussion for the next maybe one month or so when the issue of hunger and anger in the land will still be under the table. It’s a big issue.
“The Federal Government is saying now we need to import food. It’s a big shame. Yes, it’s a big shame on this country. We cannot feed ourselves. And then they are saying we should go back to those things that will allow us to bring confidence back to our people and to ensure that this country is back on the path of growth and progress.”
