APC Demands Accountability from Governor Makinde Over Management of Local Council Funds
The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on residents to demand accountability from Governor Seyi Makinde regarding the management of funds allocated to the state’s 33 local government councils since 2019.
In a statement released on Thursday by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, the APC alleged that Governor Makinde’s control of council funds had hindered grassroots development across the state.
“The preponderance of pressure being mounted on our elected officials, federal appointees, and privileged members by the masses as a result of the strangulation of the 33 local government councils by Governor Seyi Makinde has warranted such demand,” Sadare said.
The party argued that the joint account system between the state government and the councils had prevented local officials from independently managing federal allocations, impacting service delivery at the grassroots level.
The APC further criticized the leadership of the Oyo State House of Assembly, accusing it of failing to hold the governor accountable or compel him to release funds meant for constituency empowerment projects.
“We have observed the current situation across the state and have come to realize the amount of pressure being mounted on all the elected officials, particularly the serving members of the National Assembly. Our federal lawmakers are now feeling the heat as residents demand more dividends of democracy, especially at the grassroots,” the statement read.
The party emphasized that local governments, being the closest to the people, should be responsible for basic infrastructure and community services. However, it claimed that the current administration’s grip on council funds had rendered them ineffective.
“In the last 68 months, no single local government in the state has been able to deliver essential services to residents,” the APC said, adding that the lack of clarity about government responsibilities had led residents to approach federal lawmakers for local services like transformers, streetlights, and boreholes.
The statement, however, praised the APC federal lawmakers for “rescuing” the situation despite the challenges.
“Our senators and Representatives in the Green Chamber have continued to support the people by donating power transformers, streetlights, and boreholes to communities while also facilitating employment opportunities and supporting youth education and training programs,” the APC noted.
The party called on Governor Makinde to allow local councils full financial autonomy, ensuring the effective delivery of public services across the state.
