Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose stated that no individual can become a local government chairman without the state governor’s support.
Fayose made this statement in response to the recent Supreme Court ruling that granted financial autonomy to local governments.
Fayose emphasized that state governors and the state House of Assembly will continue to manage local government affairs, including financial matters, despite the landmark ruling.
He shared his views during an appearance on Channels Television’s “Politics Today.”
On Thursday, the Supreme Court had ruled that federal allocations intended for local governments must be directly deposited into their accounts. Justice Emmanuel Agim further ruled that governors are prohibited from receiving, tampering with, or withholding these funds.
The court also barred governors from dissolving democratically elected local government officials, labeling such actions as violations of the 1999 Constitution.
Fayose, reflecting on the implications of the ruling, remarked, “I am not a lawyer. I am a politician and by God’s grace today, I am an elder statesman. While I love and do not believe that any government should take local government funds, may I say to you very clearly this evening that you cannot take the baby from the mother.”
He continued, “There is nobody that can become council chairman without a governor. Anybody telling you otherwise is wasting his time. Let me quickly remind you that the House of Assembly of every state controls the activities and checkmates the activities of the local government.”
Recalling his tenure as governor, Fayose noted, “While I was governor, I had the privilege of receiving money from Abuja. When you receive money from the account, some people manage the account. They are not politicians or the council chairman.”
He added, “Any council chairman who says ‘money is coming to me, I will disrespect my governor’ the House of Assembly will tell you to go and disobey him inside your house. This is because you can never even be a council chairman without the governor standing up for you. The House of Assembly regulates your activities.”
Fayose’s comments highlight the ongoing power dynamics