By John Dike, Osogbo
The Deputy Speaker of Osun State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Akinyode Oyewusi, has disclosed that centralisation of funds under the Joint Accounts Committee arrangement weakened the autonomy of Local Governments.
He noted particularly that changes introduced during the former Governor Rauf Aregbesola administration adversely affected the financial structure of local councils, particularly through the Joint Accounts Committee arrangement.
Oyewusi made this disclosure while speaking at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Guest Platform in Osogbo, themed “The Role of Legislature in Shaping Democracy in Nigeria”.
He added that the issue of full autonomy remains unresolved across Nigeria, noting that no state in the country is currently operating absolute local government autonomy in practice.
The deputy speaker contrasted the current arrangement with earlier practices under former governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, saying local governments then had relatively more operational independence.
On accountability, he warned that any mismanagement or withholding of local government funds would attract sanctions, stressing that such actions undermine grassroots development.
He said the Osun legislature remains actively engaged in lawmaking, oversight and representation, insisting that its activities across key sectors show it cannot be described as a “rubber stamp” institution.
According to him, Osun State House of Assembly is not a rubber stamp as the parliamentarians are fully involved in constitutional responsibilities, especially in lawmaking, oversight and representation.
Oyewusi said the perception that the legislature merely endorses executive decisions often overlooks its field engagements and interventions on governance issues across the state with major part of his remarks focused on the ongoing debate over local government autonomy and the control of statutory allocations.
He maintained that the Assembly has remained active in governance oversight, citing interventions in the University of Ilesa, labour audits, security-related incidents such as the Akinlalu crisis, and other community issues.
Oyewusi also referenced legislative involvement in infrastructure monitoring, including the Akinlalu road project, the Ile-Ife bridge, and the water works in Ora Igbomina.
He added that the Assembly is planning a structured public engagement programme to improve transparency and bring legislative work closer to citizens.
On service delivery, he said primary healthcare has improved under Governor Ademola Adeleke, although he noted that funding challenges at the local government level continue to affect grassroots services.
The Deputy Speaker linked these challenges to disruptions in local government financing, which he said directly impacts healthcare delivery and other community needs.
Oyewusi also called for stronger collaboration in managing communal disputes and maintaining peace, particularly ahead of elections.
In his remarks, Osun NUJ Chairman Adeyemi Aboderin called for electoral reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic system, saying the effectiveness of governance institutions depends on credible elections and stronger oversight frameworks involving the Independent National Electoral Commission.
