Ajia Balogun of Ibadanland, Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, Oloye Adegboyega Taofeek Adegoke has said that the autonomy of Local Government Administration will not only strengthen Nigeria’s Democracy but also stabilise its existence.
Ajia Balogun of Ibadanland who just defected from PDP to APC revealed this during an exclusive interaction in Ibadan with the crew of naijatodaynews.com.
The Billionaire Business Magnate stressed that the Federal Republic of Nigeria remains a corporate democratic setting whose administrative system could not be acknowledged as a complete one without autonomy to the government that is closest to the people at the grassroots’ levels.
Adegoke said that the power being granted to Federal and State Governments in Nigeria to enjoy their autonomy and prevention of undue interference by any tier of government should be replicated for the local government.
He added that Local Government was the government that is closest to the rural dwellers and the only way and means to make those inhabitants enjoy the dividends of democracy and other goodies of democracy is to make the last tier of government autonomous.
Adegoke said that it was undemocratic for the state governments in the country to continue eroding the powers and functions of Local Government with introduction of caretaker administrative system, stressing that its introduction in a full democratic setting is an aberration to the principled system of government.
He said that the Federal System of Government in the country gave rooms for federal, state and local governments to remain and exist in own jurisdiction but it amazes that local government’s powers and functions have been taken over by the state governments.
Adegoke lamented that the state governments’ taken over of financial power, inability to present fiscal budget, execution of notable projects have no doubt rendered local governments as toothless bulldogs.
He called on both Houses of Representatives and Senate to enhance not only the theoretical autonomy of the third tier of government but also its practical free governing.
Ajia Balogun ascribed leadership problem as one of the major obstacles hindering the possibility of local government autonomous in Nigeria’s democratic setting, stressing that majority of those who are fortunate to serve as local chairmen at the helms of affairs are square pegs in a round hole and round pegs in a square hole.
He said when the needed qualities of leadership and democratic tenets are not embeded in those who are charged to serve at the local levels, to attain optimal results, effectiveness and efficiency would be an herculean task.
Ajia Balogun said there were so many things which are not within the purview of state governments, adding that it was only chairmen who know the power of local government would identify such and deliver effectively.
He called on electorates not to mind those with financial influence and muscles but candidates with mastery of governance and purpose of democratic system.
