A former chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Wale Adebayo, has accused Governor Ademola Adeleke of stifling local governments in the state.
Adebayo, who is the Osun State Chairman of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), also expressed concern over the tendency of executive arms of government to exert control over the legislative and judicial arms of government, thereby undermining democracy and the separation of powers.
According to him, the state government’s alleged suffocation of local governments has prevented them from fulfilling their constitutional roles and delivering basic services to the people
“This has contributed to the underdevelopment of our state and the suffering of our people,” said Adebayo.
Adebayo urged citizens to hold their leaders accountable and demand more from them.
“True federalism and local government autonomy are essential for the development of Osun State and Nigeria as a whole.
“We must resist the temptation to centralize power and resources, and instead empower local governments to deliver for the people,” he said, urging Governor Adeleke to urgently review his policies on education and agriculture.
He noted that the high cost of food in the state is unacceptable, particularly given Osun State’s recent ranking as one of the highest in terms of inflation on food items in the country.
“The people of Osun State are suffering due to the high cost of food, and it is the responsibility of the government to address this issue”
“I urge Governor Adeleke to take immediate action to review the state’s agricultural policies and implement measures to reduce the cost of food for the people”, he said
Adebayo suggested that the government should focus on empowering local farmers, improving agricultural infrastructure, and promoting food production in the state.
“There must be increased investment in education to equip the citizens with the necessary skills to drive economic growth and development”
“The future of Osun State depends on the ability of the government to address the pressing issues facing the people,”
“I urge the government to take these issues seriously and work towards creating a better future for the citizens of Osun State”, he concluded.