LG autonomy requires constitutional amendment – Oyo Deputy Speaker

By Adejayan Gbenga

The Deputy Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Abiodun Mohammed Fadeyi, has stated that the recent Supreme Court judgment on local government autonomy can only be effectively implemented if the Nigerian Constitution is amended.

Fadeyi made this remark in an interview with Tribune during the week, criticizing the APC-led federal government for politicizing the ruling. He emphasized that without amending the Constitution to scrap the Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC), the Supreme Court’s ruling will remain ineffective.

“On the issue of the Supreme Court judgment on local government autonomy, it is better we ask the APC-led administration if they are truly serious about implementation because the Constitution is clear,” Fadeyi said. “Without amending the Constitution to eliminate the Joint Account Committee, that judgment will just remain there.”

He revealed that following the judgment, the Oyo State Governor established a committee—which included him as a House of Assembly representative—to review the ruling and explore its implementation in the state.

“Although we support the apex court’s decision, there is a constitutional gap. Section 162(3) of the Constitution is the main hurdle. Without amending that section, full implementation is nearly impossible. The APC-led government is merely playing to the gallery,” he said.

Fadeyi argued that the autonomy of local governments is critical for development, but stressed that due process must be followed. “Eight months after the judgment, there is still no implementation. Oyo State is ready, but the Federal Government isn’t. Who is deceiving who?”

He further noted that if the Federal Government was genuinely committed to LG autonomy, the President should have engaged state governors and initiated the constitutional amendment process, which requires approval by two-thirds of state Houses of Assembly.

Fadeyi also highlighted that the Oyo State House of Assembly has been fulfilling its oversight role over local governments. “We recently passed local government budgets, which means they submit their projects to us, in line with the Constitution, and we approve them.”