Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has labeled the recent Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to local government councils as a distraction from the more pressing issues facing Nigeria, particularly the high cost of food.
In its Thursday ruling, the Supreme Court ordered the Federal Government to pay funds directly into local council area accounts, declaring the action of state governors holding onto local government funds unconstitutional.
However, in a video post, Governor Makinde argued that the focus should be on tackling hunger in the country.
“So the judgment of the Supreme Court, there is local government autonomy, financial autonomy, and all of that, and I will still say it, I think it’s just a distraction. We must face the real issues that we have,” Makinde said on Friday while addressing the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) led by its National President Chris Isiguzo, which had conferred on him the title of Grand Patron of the NUJ.
Makinde emphasized the need for productivity in Nigeria, stating, “And the issue that we have is that we are not producing enough. We are not productive. Whatever it is that we are sharing in Abuja, which is what this FACC is all about, whatever is in Abuja, share it with the local government. Is that our problem? Maybe it is a part of the problem, but yes, we want to have value for what is being shared. But our real problem is productivity. So now this is going to be the discussion for the next maybe one month or so when the issue of hunger and anger in the land will still be under the table. It’s a big issue.”
Addressing the Federal Government’s recent decision to import food, Makinde said, “The Federal Government is saying now we need to import food. It’s a big shame. Yes, it’s a big shame on this country. We cannot feed ourselves. And then they are saying we should go back to those things that will allow us to bring confidence back to our people and to ensure that this country is back on the path of growth and progress.”