By John Dike, Osogbo
The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Osun State, has defended the recently presented local government budgets across the state, insisting that the process fully complies with constitutional provisions and the Supreme Court’s judgment on local government financial autonomy.
Its chairman, Hon. Samuel Idowu Abiodun, who also serves as Chairman of Ifedayo Local Government, made the clarification while speaking on Lero Temi, a popular podcast hosted by Mukhtar Ajelogbon in Osogbo, amid public debate over the procedure adopted in presenting the budgets.
Abiodun dismissed claims that the budgets ought to be transmitted to the Osun State House of Assembly for approval, stressing that such demands contradict the apex court’s ruling.
He said the Supreme Court has clearly affirmed local governments as the third tier of government, vested with constitutional authority to operate independently of both federal and state governments.
His words, “We did not breach any law. The Supreme Court has given clear guidelines and delivered a judgment affirming that local governments are a distinct tier of government, standing on their own just like the federal and state governments”.
He explained that the ruling empowers local government legislative arms to handle budgetary and financial matters without interference from state assemblies.
“Some people insist that our budgets should go through the State House of Assembly. However, the Supreme Court ruling has granted local government parliaments the freedom to operate without such interference,”
The ALGON chairman noted that the 1999 Constitution recognises elected councillors as the legislative authority at the council level, with powers that include budget approval.
“We have our own parliament made up of councillors operating under laws recognised by the Constitution. Budgetary matters fall squarely within their authority,”
Abiodun disclosed that the proposed budgets have been presented to all 30 local government councils in Osun State and are currently undergoing legislative scrutiny.
“The budgets have been taken to all 30 local governments. They are being examined and cross-checked by councillors, and in due course, they will be passed,” he said.
He expressed confidence that the approval and implementation of the budgets would deepen governance at the grassroots.
“Once implemented, the dividends of democracy will be felt more strongly at the grassroots for the people to enjoy,” he assured.
Drawing comparisons with practices in other parts of the country, Abiodun said states such as Lagos, as well as several states in the North and East, have already adopted systems where local government budgets are approved by council legislatures rather than state houses of assembly.
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“In Lagos and other states, local government budgets are no longer taken to the State House of Assembly. They are taken to the council parliament. This system has come to stay,”
Describing the development as historic, the ALGON chairman said it marks the first time local government parliaments in Osun State are being fully recognised and empowered in line with the Supreme Court’s ruling on financial autonomy.
He stressed that budgetary issues are fundamentally financial matters constitutionally within the jurisdiction of local governments.
“Once the councillors approve the budgets, they take effect immediately,” Abiodun said.
