Ondo lawmaker advises Aiyedatiwa against swearing in a transition committee, emphasizing LG autonomy concerns. Discover more details.
The representative for Ese-Odo/Ilaje constituency, Donald Ojogo, has advised Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa against inaugurating Transition Committees for the 33 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) and the 18 local government areas, expressing concerns over the potential implications of such actions.
On the other hand, the Ondo Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Olukayode Ajulo, has defended the Governor’s authority to appoint Transition Committees, emphasizing that it falls within the scope of his constitutional powers and is crucial for ensuring a smooth transition and the continuity of government operations in the affected regions.
Ajulo further clarified that the recent court ruling declaring the Local Government Creation Law 2023 unconstitutional did not strip the Governor of his executive and administrative powers to implement measures aimed at promoting effective governance in any part of the state, including the establishment of Transition Committees for the LCDAs.
Highlighting the ongoing legal proceedings regarding the legality of the LCDAs, Ajulo underscored that the Governor’s decision to appoint Transition Committees is a proactive step to uphold governance in the affected areas and is not in violation of the court’s ruling, but rather a strategic move to ensure the seamless functioning of government affairs amidst the legal challenges.
Ojogo praised the Supreme Court’s decision to grant full financial autonomy to local governments, stating that it provided hope for Nigeria’s rural residents. However, he expressed concern that Aiyedatiwa’s efforts to bring good governance to the grassroots may have been undermined by the ruling.
