FORMER EKITI GOVERNOR, KAYODE FAYEMI, SPEAKS OUT AGAINST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTONOMY

NEWS REPORT

FORMER EKITI GOVERNOR, KAYODE FAYEMI, SPEAKS OUT AGAINST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTONOMY

Former Ekiti State Governor and ex-Chairman of the Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF), Kayode Fayemi, has described local government autonomy as a misnomer and aberration in a federal system of government.

Speaking at the launch of St. Racheal's People Consulting 2024 Leadership and Economic Summit-1.0 in Lagos, Fayemi expressed concerns that the Federal Government's suit against state governors and the ruling in its favor is not the solution to the challenges at hand.

Fayemi emphasized that Nigeria is gradually going back to a unitary form of government, contrary to the principles of federalism. He argued that the state, not the federal government, should determine its local authorities based on local needs.

Fayemi also stated that if some governors had not done well in administering local governments, solutions should be offered to address federalism's shortcomings, rather than unitarizing the country.

The Supreme Court had granted financial autonomy to local governments on July 11, following a suit by the Federal Government against state governors for interfering with local council administration.

Fayemi's comments have sparked debate on the role of local government autonomy in Nigeria's federal system.