A civil society organisation, the Ondo Redemption Front, has expressed concerns over the administration of local governments in Ondo State, Nigeria. The group claims that the state government is hindering the effective functioning of local councils, despite efforts by the Federal Government to enhance governance through local government administration.
According to the Ondo Redemption Front, the Federal Government’s efforts to ensure autonomy for local governments have been frustrated by the state government. The group is calling on the Federal Government and the Attorney General of the Federation to revisit the implementation of a Supreme Court judgement granting autonomy to local governments. This judgement aimed to enable local governments to access their funds directly from the federation account, promoting effective administration.
The Chairman of the Ondo Redemption Front, Ayodeji Ologun, emphasized that governance in the state has been reduced to mere pronouncements and political feuds, rather than addressing pressing challenges. He urged Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to focus on the trust bestowed upon him and to engage in true governance by listening, planning, and acting decisively.
In response, the Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) dismissed the allegations as baseless, describing the group’s position as a desperate attempt to tarnish the image of the elected government. The APC stated that the Aiyedatiwa-led government operates within the legal and constitutional framework guiding the three tiers of government and remains committed to delivering on its electoral mandate.
The controversy highlights the ongoing debates over local government autonomy and effective administration in Nigeria. The Federal Government’s efforts to enhance governance through local government administration have been met with resistance from some state governments, leading to concerns over the impact on local communities. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the Federal Government and the Attorney General of the Federation will respond to the Ondo Redemption Front’s call to revisit the implementation of the Supreme Court judgement.
