From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
Peoples Democratic Party( PDP) has said it is having a conversation with governors elected on its platform over the recent Supreme Court judgment on financial autonomy for local governments.
PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, who disclosed this, yesterday, at an interactive session with newsmen, in Abuja, said the apex court’s judgment that gave financial autonomy to the councils was a recipe for trouble.
The Supreme Court, in a recent judgment, ordered that local government allocations from the federation account should be sent directly to local government areas.
However, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, in his reaction, said the judgment was likely to have adverse effects on the people.
Also, local government chairmen in Oyo State have said they would pull out of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON).
Ologunagba said if there were issues to be addressed about local government administration in the country, it should be done in conjunction with the state governors.
He said this is because the state government is closer to the people than the Federal Government.
“The concern is very clear, and local governments are related to the state because they are closer to it. Now, as a party, we are reviewing those positions of the Supreme Court with concern.
“And I will say this—the fact that the Federal Government is trying to create another bureaucracy that would be corrupt or deviant in local government control, we think that would be another recipe for trouble.
“We believe if there are reforms to be made on the local government, it should be done in conjunction with the governors, not by the fiat of the Federal Government.
“ And when it comes to the court, I am a lawyer. I don’t have issues with the court, which in its wisdom has done things a certain way. But, of course, I believe that will not be the end of the matter as we speak because the people who have a responsibility for the local government are the governors. The Federal Government does not see people in my village; it is the governors.
“Therefore, if there are concerns, then it should be in conjunction with the local government so that the benefits can go to the people, not by some fiat. The law does not attempt the impossible. When it does, it will fall face down. I believe we have not seen the end of that with respect to local government administration.
“The state government has responsibility. If there is a problem in the local government, they won’t call the Federal Government; they will call the state government. So, there must be that understanding that the state government has a duty, has a responsibility, and what you can work on is the best way to allow for the efficiency of that state government, with the governors and the concerns provided for local government joint accounts. The concern provided for it – the Federal Government did not provide for it. So, at what point does it become negative?
“Again, these are issues that are ongoing. As a party, we are going to have more conversations. We are going to talk to our governors more and find out. I believe, ultimately, the governors have a substantial role to play with regard to administering local government because it is right there in their laps,” he said.
The post LG autonomy: We’re engaging our govs on Supreme Court judgment –PDP appeared first on The Sun Nigeria.
