Oyo LG Chairmen Withdraw from ALGON Following Supreme Court Ruling on Autonomy

The 33 council chairmen in Oyo State have formally exited the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) in response to the Supreme Court’s recent judgment granting financial autonomy to local governments nationwide.

In a communique signed by all the chairmen, the decision was made to align with Governor Seyi Makinde’s stance on local government autonomy. Ibrahim Akintayo, ALGON’s Public Relations Officer in Oyo State, confirmed the chairmen’s move as a show of solidarity with Governor Makinde’s approach to the Supreme Court ruling.

The chairmen praised Governor Makinde’s leadership and accomplishments since taking office, attributing their loyalty to his administration. Following the court ruling, Governor Makinde convened a meeting with stakeholders to discuss the implications of the decision and formed committees to review the ruling on local government autonomy.

Governor Makinde emphasized the need for a proactive approach despite the absence of the Certified True Copy of the Supreme Court judgment. He expressed concerns about a potential gap between the court’s decision and the Nigerian constitution, advocating for local solutions to ensure transparency and prevent public suffering.

The governor’s stance has sparked mixed reactions, with some praising his proactive measures while others criticize his approach.

The chairmen’s communique highlighted the need to protect and provide for the residents of their local government areas as the primary reason for leaving ALGON. They announced plans to establish a new association for local government executives, to be registered under Nigerian law, which would represent the chairmen of various local councils.

The communique detailed the outcomes of a general meeting held on August 3, 2024, in Ibadan. It stated the chairmen’s resolution to form a new umbrella association to protect their people’s interests and promote democratic principles as outlined in the amended 1999 Constitution of Nigeria. The new association aims to ensure genuine development within local councils for the benefit of local communities.