Ondo Local Government autonomy under threat

A civil‑society organization, the Ondo Redemption Front, has raised concerns about the administration of local governments in Ondo State, Nigeria. The group alleges that the state government is obstructing the effective functioning of local councils, despite the Federal Government’s efforts to improve governance through local‑government administration. According to the Ondo Redemption Front, the state’s actions have frustrated federal attempts to grant autonomy to local governments.

The organization is urging the Federal Government and the Attorney General of the Federation to revisit the implementation of a Supreme Court judgment that granted local governments the right to receive funds directly from the federation account, a measure intended to promote effective administration. Chairman Ayodeji Ologun warned that governance in the state has been reduced to mere pronouncements and political feuds, rather than addressing pressing challenges. He called on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to honor the trust placed in him by engaging in genuine governance—listening, planning, and acting decisively.

In response, the Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) dismissed the allegations as baseless, characterizing the group’s position as a desperate attempt to tarnish the elected government’s image. The APC asserted that the Aiyedatiwa‑led administration operates within the legal and constitutional framework governing the three tiers of government and remains committed to fulfilling its electoral mandate.

The controversy underscores ongoing debates over local‑government autonomy and effective administration in Nigeria. While the Federal Government’s initiatives to strengthen governance through local‑government structures face resistance from some state governments, concerns persist about the impact on local communities. As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how the Federal Government and the Attorney General will respond to the Ondo Redemption Front’s call to revisit the Supreme Court judgment’s implementation.