Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has sacked the chairmen of local governments and local council development areas (LCDA) as well as boards of parastatals and corporations.
The decision was conveyed in a statement by the newly appointed Chief of Staff (CoS), Chief Bisi Ilaka yesterday.
The statement read: “His Excellency, the Governor of Oyo State, Oluseyi Makinde, has directed as follows:
“That all local government authorities, local council development authorities be dissolved with immediate effect.
“That all local government chairmen are to hand over to their Heads of Local Government Administration (HLA) or the most Senior Directors in their local government areas and councils.
“That all boards of parastatals and corporations be dissolved.
“That embargo be placed on all local and state government accounts until further directives.”
But, Oyo State Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) yesterday rejected the dissolution of local governments, describing it as illegal and hasty. It vowed to use all legal means to reverse the directive.
A statement by its chairman, Prince Atodeji Abass-Aleshinloye, reads: “It has come to the notice of ALGON Oyo State branch that the new governor of Oyo State has purportedly dissolved all democratically elected local government in the state.
“This to say the least is unconstitutional, unwise, unexpected and too hasty for a new government that is yet to find its feet.”
Makinde, however, yesterday promised to donate his salaries as the governor to the Teachers’ Pension Fund in fulfilment of his campaign promise.
This came as he also proposed staggered salary increment instead of the outright payment of the N30,000 approved national minimum wage for workers.
Makinde stated these in his inaugural address at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan, venue of his swearing-in ceremony as the 28th governor of Oyo state.
The eighth civilian governor also abolished the N3,000 annual school fees being paid in state-owned secondary schools.
The 40,000 capacity stadium was filled with people within, outside and around the event venue, leading to heavy traffic congestion around Liberty Road, Ring Road and the adjourning streets.
The swearing-in suffered an initial delay as the convoy of the governor was locked down in traffic along the Liberty Road due to heavy movement of vehicles and persons to the venue.
The event slated for 10a.m. started at about 11:20 ten minutes after the arrival of the governor to the venue.
Heavy vehicular movement into the venue led to heavy traffic congestion as many people were stranded on different parts of the routes leading to the stadium.
Makinde took his oath of office and oath of allegiance at about 12: 22p.m. in company of his wife, Omini and three children.
Part of the swearing saw balloons decorated in the red, green and white colours of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) being released into the air, after the governor completed taking the oath of office.
Technical issues also saw the Governor been delayed for about five minutes before taking the oath, as he was made to sit down alongside the CJ before the issue was resolved.
The oath was administered on the Governor by the state Chief Judge, Munta Abimbola.
Dignitaries from different parts of the states and the Southwest states attended the event.
The roll call included the Chief Judge Munta Abimbola; Olubadan of Ibadanland Oba Saliu Adetunji; Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi; Soun of Ogbmosho Oba Jimoh Oyewunmi; representatives of Oba of Benin; former governors Adebayo Alao-Akala and Dr. Omololu Olunloyo; PDP chieftain Chief Bode George, former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, Chief Olu Falae and his wife.
Others were Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan Prof. Idowu Olayinka, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu, Senator Olufemi Lanlehin, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun, former Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Oloye Jumoke Akinjide, former House of Representatives Leader Mulikat Akande Adeola, wife of former Governor Rashidi Ladoja, governorship candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Mr. Akinwale Laosun among other dignitaries.
Former Governor Rashidi Ladoja was conspicuously absent at the event.
Makinde, who noted that his plan was to make the state the first to pay above the national minimum wage, however, stressed that such a development would need time to materialise in the face of Oyo State’s lean economic resources.
On the new minimum wage, the new governor said he would have what he described as a “sincere conversation” and arrive at the best possible decision, which would put the overall interest of the people first. (The Nation)
