Kwara LGs enjoy autonomy, says Ifelodun Council boss
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
The Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government Area in Kwara State, Hadji AbdulRasheed Yusuf, has declared that no local government council in the State has any excuse not to deliver dividends of democracy to the people in their respective domains.
Briefing journalists in Ilorin, the state capital, on Wednesday evening to mark his one year in office, Yusuf affirmed that local governments in Kwara State enjoy full autonomy that extends beyond financial freedom, adducing his numerous achievements in the last one year to the local autonomy enjoyed in the state.
Featuring on the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Correspondents’ Chapel’s personality programme: News keg, Yusuf, who appreciated Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his openness, transparency and sincerity in governance, declared that the Governor never lorded himself on him and any other Council Chairman in the state.
He added: “Not only that he (Governor) has warned us not to tolerate or comply with anyone dropping his name for favour, he has also never directed us to deposit any money into any account. We operate unfettered.
“Since I assumed office a year ago, the Governor has not called to direct me on what and how to do anything; he has never asked us (chairmen) to deposit money into any account.”
Yusuf, popularly referred to as “the performing chair,” disclosed that Governor AbdulRazaq once told them that rather than send anyone to them, he would relate directly with them to ensure good governance at the grassroots, adding that his over 100 developmental projects in one year were made possible as a result of the unfettered autonomy his Council enjoyed.
“That is why you are seeing developmental competitions in the 16 local governments across the state,” he said.
He, however, added that the only thing missing in the touted local government autonomy is that allocations don’t always come directly into their purses, saying the
much cherished federal government finance drops into the joint account from where certain financial obligations are drawn.
He said that his first year in office has been a period of transformative growth and visible impact across the Ifelodun council area.
On insecurity, Yusue disclosed that his administration supported local police stations with motorcycles for rapid response, recruited vigilante groups, and worked with traditional rulers to issue identity cards for community hunters and guards.
“We have continued to carry our traditional council along in fighting insecurity, and we are grateful for their cooperation,” he added.
Looking ahead, Yusuf assured residents that the next phase of his administration would focus more on road construction, education, healthcare, and security.
“I call on all stakeholders to set politics aside and join hands in praying for lasting peace, stability, and prosperity in Ifelodun and Kwara State as a whole,” he admonished.