Category: Featured

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, has expressed concerns over the Supreme Court judgment affirming local governments’ right to receive monthly allocations directly from the federation account. The Peoples Democratic Party chieftain highlighted that despite the court’s ruling, state Houses of Assembly and governors will continue to impede local government autonomy.

Fayose shared his views during an appearance on Channels Television’s “Politics Today” on Sunday. He emphasized that no individual from the grassroots can become a local government chairman without a governor’s support, stating that the court and the federal government cannot sever the close relationship between state and local governance.

“I am not a lawyer. I am a politician and, by God’s grace today, an elder statesman. While I believe no government should withhold local government funds, the reality is you cannot separate the local governments from the influence of the governors. No one can become a council chairman without a governor’s backing. Anyone saying otherwise is simply wasting time,” Fayose said.

He added, “The state House of Assembly controls and oversees local government activities. When I was governor, we received funds from Abuja, managed by state officials, not the council chairmen. The local government commissioner represents the governor, while others are local government officials, workers, and pensioners. They manage the funds. Saying we are empowering local governments is misleading; no real power is being transferred.”

Fayose also criticized the commitment of council officials, suggesting many do not take their responsibilities seriously. He pointed out that local government staff attendance is often poor.

“Any council chairman who thinks they can disrespect their governor will quickly learn that the House of Assembly controls their fate. You can’t even become a council chairman without the governor’s support. The House of Assembly regulates your activities.

“Visit a council office on a Wednesday or Friday, and you’ll find that less than 10 percent of the staff are present. They often don’t show up. If you try to hold them accountable, NULGE and local government leaders will plead with the governor. They’ll threaten not to vote for you. This is how local governments operate. The state administration is more effective. At the local level, everyone is there to collect money, even those who have moved away and just receive funds in their accounts,” he concluded.

The Arewa Youth Federation (AYF) has dissociated itself from the planned mass protests aimed at addressing President Bola Tinubu’s perceived poor governance. The group alleges that the protests are driven by individuals with ulterior motives, posing a threat to national stability.

In a statement, AYF President Kabir Mutazu declared that the organization will not participate in protests across the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This development comes amidst widespread discontent over the recent removal of subsidies, which has led to a significant increase in the cost of living and essential commodities.

The planned protests have sparked concerns about potential national destabilization, and the AYF’s stance may impact the momentum of the demonstrations.

In a significant move to combat deforestation and climate change, a youth-led advocacy group, Plant A Decade Initiative (PADI) has partnered with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Oyo State chapter, and planted 103 economic trees at the NYSC permanent orientation camp in Iseyin, Iseyin Lg, Oyo State. The event, aimed at addressing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 13 and 15, Climate Action and Life on Land, respectively, by responding to the pressing environmental issues in the region, featured a tree planting exercise and a comprehensive climate education talk to raise awareness among Nigerians on climate action and advocacy in Nigeria.

The tree-planting initiative, held at the NYSC camp in Iseyin, saw active participation from the State Coordinator for NYSC Oyo State chapter, Comrade Odoba Abel Oche, the Executive Chairman of Iseyin local government, Hon. Rasaq Bisi Fadiran, Camp manager, Directors, youth corps members, media organizations, and environmental enthusiasts. Idowu Anuoluwapo Ezekiel, the lead initiator of PADI and a seasoned broadcaster, led the event with an impassioned speech. He emphasized the critical role of youth in the climate change discourse, highlighting the urgent need for proactive measures against the alarming rate of deforestation in Oyo State.

“The rate of deforestation in Oyo State is abysmal and requires urgent action, not just mere talks,” Anuoluwapo stated. He elaborated on the dire consequences of continued deforestation and the importance of reforestation efforts to mitigate climate change impacts. Anuoluwapo also pointed out that youth engagement in environmental conservation is crucial for the long-term sustainability of the region.

Meanwhile, the event not only focused on planting 103 tree seedlings but also included an educational segment where Corps members and officials were informed about the broader aspects of climate change and the importance of advocacy. While warmly receiving the team, the State Coordinator, Comrade Odoba Abel Oche appreciated the youths’ effort in modeling a commendable course aimed at equipping the youth with the knowledge and motivation needed to actively participate in environmental conservation efforts.

PADI’s partnership with NYSC signifies a collaborative approach to tackling the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 13- Climate Action and 15- Life on land at the grassroots level. The successful planting of 103 economic trees is a testament to the power of community involvement and the pivotal role of youth in driving climate action. The PADI vanguards expressed hope that the initiative would inspire similar projects across Nigeria, contributing to a greener and more sustainable future for the country, as captured in the objectives of PADI, which is to plant 10,000 trees and bridge the information gap on Climate education in Nigeria.

Loyalists of the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland and former governor of Oyo State, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja have been warned not to try to run ahead of destiny by talking about ascension to the throne of Olubadan less than a day after the coronation of a new Oba.

The Ibadan L’Agba Group gave this warning on Saturday, following media reports that the Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, is trying to prevent Ladoja from ascending the throne.

The group, in a statement signed by its chairman and secretary, Alhaji Ligali Baoku and Mr. Sola Jinadu, frowned on the report, which claimed that the state government reviewed the Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration to bar the Otun Olubadan from ascending to the throne.

The group, while praying for longevity and good health for the new Olubadan, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin, wondered why any person would open the topic of becoming Olubadan when a new Oba has just been crowned.

According to the group, it was equally wild for sponsors of the report to claim that a process undertaken by the state government and widely reported in 2023 was targeted at Ladoja, stating that the law is a respecter of no one and as such, High Chief Ladoja could not be made a scapegoat by a law that is bigger than him.

The group advised sponsors of the report to stop hiding behind a shadow by telling the world their true intentions, wondering why Ladoja’s camp has suddenly become jittery and is now sponsoring falsehood against Governor Makinde, a true son of Ibadan, who has done everything to uphold its tradition and the fullest of its glory.

According to the group, the media report that Makinde reviewed the Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration to stop High Chief Ladoja smacked of mischief and evil intentions, as the entire process of the review followed due process and was well-accepted by Ibadan indigenes.

The group maintained that it expects High Chief Ladoja to call all his loyalists and sympathisers to order so as not to bring Ibadanland into disrepute, saying the world-acclaimed succession system of Ibadan royalty has not been tampered with by the government.

It added that the sponsors of the report clearly acted on a predetermined plot, noting that they must be the individuals Makinde said had been put to shame during the presentation of staff of office to Oba Olakulehin, as according to the governor, they were always looking for things to divide the people.

The statement said in part: “We read with disdain a media report obviously sponsored by sympathisers of Otun Olubadan, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, targeting Governor Makinde for allegedly plotting to stop him from becoming Olubadan.

“The said report claimed that the Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration, which was reviewed last year, was done to stop High Chief Ladoja from becoming Olubadan. We find this claim baseless and ridiculous.

“While we were confounded that some unscrupulous elements could start campaigning for the Olubadan throne as if it were a political seat, choosing this moment that all Ibadan sons and daughters are celebrating the coming of a new Olubadan is ill-timed and reveals the evil in the minds of the sponsors and publishers of the report.

“The said report, as published in some local blogs, claimed that Governor Makinde caused ‘a surreptitious amendment to be made to the 1957 Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration by the House of Assembly.’

“It quoted Section 4 of the 1957 Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration as well as the Section 4 of the amended Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration and then concluded that the state government erred in distributing the said gazette to the public at the Olubadan coronation.

“The plot being played by the publishers of the report can only confuse the uninformed. As trueborns of Ibadan, we know those trying to hide behind a finger and we are warning them now to back off that inglorious path.

“The first question we would like to ask them is: Was the Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration reviewed on Friday at the coronation event? No. The process was concluded in 2023 and was well-accepted by Ibadan sons and daughters, who welcomed the much-needed change with open arms.

“The second question was whether High Chief Ladoja was aware of the law and what was his reaction? The former governor went to court over the Olubadan chieftaincy review. But he also chose of his volition to withdraw the matter from court. If he wants to become Olubadan he knows what to do. He should follow the process laid down by the gazetted declaration or return to challenging it in court. Whichever way, he should tell his sympathisers to stop acting as if the Olubadan stool is vacant.

“We know the intentions of those behind the report. They are the divisive elements that Gov Makinde made reference to at Mapo.

“Any well-intentioned Ibadan man must agree that Governor Makinde deserves the credits for midwifing the ascension of two Olubadan and ensuring that the enduring legacy of the Ibadan traditional system continues despite all odds.President Tinubu gave him the deserved accolades for this and so should every Ibadan indigene.

“But we know that those behind this report cannot be happy; their evil intentions have been uncovered and they will continue to fail. These people do not recognise that it is God that crowns kings and if He so wishes that Ladoja will become Olubadan, no one can stop Him. But his loyalists must wait for his time and stop polluting the system.

“That report, to say the least, was aimed at detracting from the glorious coronation of Oba Olakulehin and the success of the Makinde government in putting it up, because they were not happy that it happened. They have tried all sorts, including lying about Makinde not being ready to approve the appointment of Oba Olakulehin and even reading senseless meanings into a routine cabinet reshuffle that should be a government business.”

The pan-Yoruba socio-political association, Afenifere, has condemned the judgment of the Supreme Court which granted total financial autonomy to the local governments in Nigeria.

The Supreme Court on Thursday declared it unconstitutional for state governors to hold funds allocated for local government administrations.

The court further declared that a state government has no power to appoint a caretaker committee and a local government council is only recognisable with a democratically elected government.

Afenifere, in a statement on Saturday, by its leader and the National Public Secretary, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, and Prince Justice Faloye, described the apex court judgement as a mere judicial conspiracy.

The statement was titled ‘Tinubu and the grand conspiracy against democracy and true federalism in Nigeria.’

According to the group in the statement, the judgement was against the principle of true federalism. It added that the Supreme Court had played to the gallery in delivering such a judgement.

The statement read, “Afenifere views the judgment of the Supreme Court in the case filed by the Federal Government on the so-called local government autonomy as a sheer judicial conspiracy in cahoots with the Tinubu administration against the Nigerian state and its foundational principles of federalism.

“Rather than interpret the constitution to uphold its elementary but overriding federal principle which recognises only a two-tier federal structure of the central government and federating states, the Supreme Court played to the gallery and wittingly allowed itself a most retrogressive declaration that the power of the government is portioned into three arms of government, the federal, the state and the local government.

“For the avoidance of any doubt, Afenifere makes bold to say that in line with its negotiated basis of existence, Nigeria is a ‘Federation consisting of States and a Federal Capital Territory’. as affirmed by Section 2 (2) of the 1999 constitution. While Afenifere frowns at corruption and misuse of public funds at levels of government, it condemns in most unmistaken terms the subjugation of the states and their constitutional roles including the local government system to the whims and caprices of the federal government by any means including obvious manipulation of the federation account as in the present case.”

The group also alleged that the ongoing administration of Tinubu had been practising a unitary system in some of its policies since its inception. It maintained that the only way forward for the country was to practice true federalism.

“It is becoming stridently eloquent that with just over a year of its inauguration, the Tinubu government, more than even the military administrations, is uncannily determined to unitarise the Nigerian Federation.

“Part of the unitary package is the creation of the Ministry of Livestock Development which is the audacious euphemism for the re-introduction of cattle colony, RUGA and those other policies by which the Buhari administration sought to appropriate lands in the states contrary to the provisions of the Land Use Act and the Constitution which vest land in the state in the Governor in trust for the people.

“Afenifere insists that the way forward for Nigeria is not the confusing rudderless tinkering but a holistic restructuring of the polity to re-enact the fundamental principles of true federalism as agreed by the founding fathers. This includes the fact that the local government system is an exclusive preserve of the states, either by direct constitutional provisions or residual powers in a federation,” the group submitted.