S’Court ruling on financial autonomy for LGAs impracticable, says Fayose

Ayodele Fayose, a former governor of Ekiti State, has expressed skepticism about the recent Supreme Court verdict granting financial autonomy to the 744 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Nigeria, suggesting that the ruling could be impracticable.

Speaking on Sunday Politics, a Channels Television program, Fayose explained that although he opposes the practice of state governors appropriating funds meant for LGAs, the separation of powers between these two tiers of government is inherently complex.

“I am not a lawyer. I am a politician and by God’s grace today, I am an elder statesman,” Fayose said. “While I love and do not believe that any government should take local government funds, may I say to you very clearly this evening that you cannot take the baby from the mother.”

Fayose highlighted the intricate relationship between state governments and LGAs, emphasizing that no council chairman can assume office without the influence of a governor. “Anybody telling you otherwise is wasting his time,” he remarked.

He pointed out that state houses of assembly play a crucial role in overseeing and regulating the activities of local governments. Drawing from his experience as a governor, Fayose explained that funds received from the federal account are managed by various officials, not necessarily by politicians or council chairmen.

He also noted that the local government commissioner, who represents the governor, is the key figure in this process.

“The state is more effective in administrative performance than the local government,” Fayose asserted, questioning the practicality of the Supreme Court’s decision to grant more power to LGAs. “When you now come and say we are giving power to the local government, what power are you giving to them? No power.”

Moreso, Fayose criticized the work ethic of local government staff, claiming that many do not show up for work.

“Go to the councils from Monday to Friday, you will not find 10 percent of the staff of the local government in the offices. They don’t come to work,” he said. “My name is Ayo Fayose and I want them to dispute this. They don’t come to work.”

He elaborated on the challenges of enforcing accountability among local government staff, stating that efforts to address absenteeism are often met with resistance from the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and other local government leaders.

“They will be telling you, we will not vote for you. This is the way we operate at the local government,” Fayose added.

Fayose also criticized the practice of disbursing funds to individuals who no longer reside in the state, accusing them of merely collecting money without contributing to the local government.

Last week, the Supreme Court ruled that the federal government should henceforth pay allocations directly to LGAs, bypassing state governments.