LG Chairmen Kicks, Threaten War With Gov Makinde
The Local government chairmen in Oyo State has vowed to remain in office and threatened a war with the new governor of the state, Engineer Seyi Makinde, over the dissolution of local councils on Wednesday after inauguration in Ibadan.
The Oyo State ALGON Chairman, Prince Abass-Aleshinloye, in a press statement obtained by Mouthpiece NG on Thursday, described the governor’s action as illegal and unconstitutional.
According to Alesinloye, the military-like statement issued by the governor that all councils and the Local Council Development Authorities be dissolved with immediate effect amounted to “a familiar jackboot statement of the military era.”
He rejected the dissolution, instigating ALGON members to rise for battle with the governor.
The statement read: “It has come to the notice of ALGON Oyo State branch that the new Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, has purportedly dissolved all democratically elected local government in the state.
“This, to say the least, is unconstitutional, unexpected and too hasty for a new government.
“This illegality was reported in the news media.
“ALGON Oyo rejects this unconstitutional act of Mr. Governor. “It is illegal and a contempt of a subsisting court judgment against any dissolution of the councils as ordered by Justice A. A. Aderemi of High Court 2, Ibadan, Oyo State., on May 6, 2019.
“We wish to appeal to all local government chairmen, councilors, supervisors and Oyo State citizens in these respective councils to remain calm and be peaceful.
“ALGON will seek all democratic and constitutional means to correct this illegal act.
“All will be appropriately updated as events unfold.
“We count on your solidarity and maximum moral support in this democratic struggle.”
Makinde had on Wednesday through his Chief of Staff, Bisi Ilaka, directed that “all local government authorities and Local Council Development Authorities be dissolved with immediate effect.”
The governor asked the chairmen to immediately hand over to their Heads of Local Government Administration or the most senior directors in their local government areas and councils.
While placing embargo on all local and state government accounts until further directives, Makinde also directed that all boards of parastatals and corporations be dissolved with immediate effect.