The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has picked a hole in the suit filed by the Federal Government that resulted in the Supreme Court judgement on financial autonomy for the 774 Local Government Areas of the country.
The party also said the September 21 Edo State governorship election will be a referendum on the failed All Progressives Congress (APC) administration in the country.
PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, at a press conference in Abuja on Sunday, said though the party is still reviewing the Supreme Court judgement, but stated that the local government autonomy is an avenue by the Federal Government to create a corrupt bureaucracy that would be available for them to manipulate.
PDP governor Seyi Makinde, immediately after the Supreme Court judgement, noted that a lacuna has been created between the decision and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Makinde who is governor of Oyo State, declared that “The law is the law, and we should go to court when there is a conflict. But it behoves us to look for our home-grown solutions that can ensure transparency and that our people do not suffer. This is because when two elephants are fighting, the grass will suffer.”
On August 3, 33 local government chairmen in Oyo State, left the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), the umbrella body of local government chairmen in the country, and said they were doing so in support of their governor.
Ologunagba at the press conference, warned that an attempt by the Federal Government to control local government through local autonomy, “would be another recipe for trouble.
“The concern is very clear, and local governments are related to the state because they are closer to it.
“We believe that if there are reforms to be made on the local government, it should be done in conjunction with the governors, not by the fiat of the federal government.”
The PDP spokesman who is also a lawyer, said the court “in its wisdom has done things a certain way,” but added that it will not be the end of the matter “because the people who have a responsibility for the local government are the governors.
“The Federal Government doesn’t see people in my village; it is the governors.
“Therefore, if there are concerns, then it should be in conjunction with the local government so that the benefits can go to the people, not by some fiat.
“The law does not attempt the impossible. When it does, it will fall face down.
“I believe that we haven’t seen the end of that with respect to local government administration. The state government has responsibility.
“If there is a problem in the local government, they won’t call the Federal government; they will call the state Government.
“So there must be that understanding that the state government has a duty, has a responsibility, and what you can work on is the best way to allow for the efficiency of that state government.”
The PDP spokesman noted that there is joint state/local government account, which was provided for by the constitution, and said the party would be talking to its governors more and find the way out.
“I believe that ultimately the governors have a substantial role to play with regard to administering local government because it’s right there in their laps,” he added.
Ologunagba boasted that PDP candidate Dr. Asue Ighodall will win the Edo governorship, because as he is enjoying the support and solidarity of majority of the people of the state.
He said the party is running a robust and “issue-based campaign that has penetrated the nook and crannies of Edo State with a detailed people-oriented manifesto of that is resonating with the people of Edo State as it embodies their aspiration in every sector of life.
“This is evident in the organic crowd and followership in our rallies across all the wards in the state, where the majority of Edo people, including prominent members of the APC have publicly expressed support for our candidate.”
Ologunagba stated that the APC candidate Monday Okpehbolo, on the other hand, is not campaigning or engaging the people, and said he lacks capacity, and competence and has nothing to offer to the people of Edo State.
He added that the APC candidate has been avoiding the media and town hall engagements because “he is afraid to be confronted with the issues of lack of capacity and allegations of forgery of voter card and birth documents, which he has failed to respond to.
“We challenge the APC candidate to make himself available to media interview and scrutiny.
“If Monday Okpebholo is indeed putting himself for public office, he should make himself available for public scrutiny.”
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