The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has criticised the recent Supreme Court verdict granting local government autonomy, describing it as a “mere distraction” from more pressing national issues.
On Thursday, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of financial autonomy for local government areas across Nigeria.
The verdict also prohibited the use of caretaker committees to run local governments, as it mandated that local government areas must be governed by democratically elected executives.
Additionally, the court outlawed joint accounts between state and local governments.
Responding to the development, Governor Makinde argued that the country’s real problem stems from a lack of productivity that has led to stunted development.
He made these remarks during a meeting with the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), led by its national president, Chris Isiguzo, at the state secretariat in Ibadan on Saturday.
“There was a judgement at the Supreme Court, local government autonomy, financial autonomy and I will still say it I think it’s just a distraction.
“We must face the real issues that we have, and the issue that we have is that we are not producing enough, we are not productive.
“Whatever it is we are sharing in Abuja, which is what this FAAC is all about or whatever is in Abuja share it with the local governments, is that our problem? Maybe it is a part of the problem but yes you want to have value for what you want to share, but our real problem is productivity.
“But now this is going to be the discussion for the next one month when the issue of hunger and anger in the land will still be under the table, it’s a big issue.
“The federal government is saying we have to import food, it’s a big shame, it’s a big shame on this country that we cannot feed ourselves.
“And then we 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,” said Makinde.