Dispute Over Local Government Autonomy
The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Ekiti State has strongly criticised former Governor Ayodele Fayose, accusing him of poorly managing local government affairs and impoverishing council workers during his tenure. This condemnation follows Fayose’s recent critique of local government workers in light of the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold financial autonomy for local governments.
Fayose’s Controversial Remarks
In a televised interview, Fayose voiced his opposition to the Supreme Court’s judgment on local government autonomy, claiming inefficiency among council officials. He alleged that on certain days, less than 10 percent of local government staff were present at their offices, accusing them of neglecting their duties and resisting accountability measures.
NULGE Responds to Allegations
Reacting to these allegations, Oluseyi Olatunde, President of Ekiti NULGE, described Fayose’s statements as misleading and damaging to the reputation of local government workers. Olatunde refuted the claims, asserting that they do not reflect the actual practices within Ekiti State’s local governments. He accused Fayose of fabricating these assertions to undermine the recent advancements towards local government autonomy.
Call for Apology and Recognition of Workers’ Efforts
NULGE has demanded that Fayose retract his statements and issue an apology to the council workers for the harm caused by his comments. The union highlighted the productivity of council workers and their contributions to developmental progress across the state, despite the challenges imposed by previous administrations.
Former Governor’s Impact on Local Governance
During his administration, critics accused Fayose of mishandling local government finances, including implementing policies that resulted in significant salary arrears despite the receipt of federal bailout funds. These policies, according to NULGE, severely impacted the financial stability of local government employees.
Future of Local Government Administration
In light of these events, stakeholders, including government officials and professional bodies, must enforce regulations more stringently and support the autonomy of local governments. They view this as crucial for enhancing administrative effectiveness and preventing future governance failures.
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