Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde Clarifies Position on Local Government Autonomy

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has clarified his stance on local government autonomy, asserting that he is not opposed to having a democratically elected third tier of government, contrary to the perception held by some. The governor made this statement during the official commissioning of the Local Government House and Staff Training School at the State Secretariat, Ibadan. He emphasized that while he supports local government autonomy, there is still a need for proper oversight to ensure effective service delivery at the grassroots level.

In a further demonstration of his commitment to strengthening local governance, Governor Makinde announced the conversion of ad-hoc staff at local governments across the state to permanent employees. This decision aims to fill existing vacancies and stabilize the workforce within the local government system, ensuring improved productivity and service continuity.

Representing the President-General of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Ambali Olatunji, the Vice President of the Union, Abimbola Babalola, expressed gratitude to the Governor for his support and dedication to the welfare of local government employees. Babalola noted that Governor Makinde’s actions reflect his genuine commitment to enhancing local governance and empowering local government workers.

The event was graced by various dignitaries, including top government officials, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and other stakeholders, who lauded the Governor’s initiatives aimed at promoting good governance and effective administration at the local level.