Kunle Adelabu
-Gives authority back to royal fathers
The candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for Ikorodu Constituency I seat in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Prince Kehinde Gbadebowale Muhyideen Oyefusi,is determined to make the local government areas to be truly independent of the state government if elected by the electorate, come 2027 General Elections.
Prince Kehinde, who is a Prince of Ikorodu and son of former Ayangbure of Ikorodu, emohasised that he would ensure that revenue sources like LASAA, waste management, among others which are supposed to be controlled, managed and serve as sources of revenues for the council areas but which the state has taken over, will be given back to the local governments. He vowed to sponsor legislation to this effect.
He also kicked against what he termed relegation of traditional institutions, adding that he would also ensure that the state and local government authorities do not have any power over the traditional rulers who, according to him, are supposed to be supreme leaders.
Prince Oyefusi spoke with THE IMPACT in an interview at the estate of the former Ayangbure of Ikorodu, Royal Castle of Peace, Lowa, Ikorodu.
”My own aspiration in going to the House of Assembly, is to change some legislations. We are going to reverse most of the rules on local government. Local government autonomy is very important to me.
”The state is getting all the revenues the local government is supposed to have. When you want to talk about the billboards, the local government, under the constitution, is supposed to oversee it.
”There are some functions and duties assigned to the councils like primary health care, education board, all these are under local government. Also, market, abattoir are areas that local governments are supposed to generate revenue from”.
He emphasised that the Constitution grants local government these powers but were taken away by the state government through laws promulgated by the Assembly, and he vowed to reverse them.
”As provided for by the constitution, these are not responsibilities of the state government but they took them away from the local government.
”Therefore, one of my legislative agenda is to reverse those laws and ensure that local governments are truly autonomous. With this, local governments can generate their own funds, earn their own money, and there will be enough for them to spend and fix areas that they are most needed.
”If the local government controls what is due to them, they would have more money through revenues and they can also increase workers’ salaries.
He added: “So, legislation, representation and oversight duties will be my priority. If I make sure that the money gets directly to the council, I will also ensure that they are used where the people really need them. Monies are going to be appropriated properly to the areas that are needed. That constitutes most of my agenda”, Prince Oyefusi said.
Expressing his worry over what he termed lack of independent of the royal fathers, the Assembly candidate said that he would give authority back to them and make them to be truly seen as supreme leaders once again.
”Also, it is worrisome that most of the Obas and Baales are living in fear. This is what I have observed. They don’t have their own freewill to do anything.
”In my legislative programme, I will sponsor a law that regulates the removal of an Oba. The law will make it impossible for the government to remove any Oba no matter what it is”.
Prince Oyefusi said that the law that he would sponsor would make it impossible for the government to remove any Oba.
”The state government will not have power to remove any Oba or Baale. It is because of the control that the state government has over them that is creating the fear and they cannot take decisions from their own freewill, especially to declare for another party or support a candidate from another party except that of the ruling party.
”If such a law is in place, it will be difficult for the governor to remove any Oba, and if there is any reason to sanction any Oba, the matter has to go back to Osugbo, which will have the power to sanction the Oba.
”We are going to return power back to the Obas. They will have free will and they can’t be under anybody. They are the supreme leaders. They are supposed to be high above. How will an Oba be seconded to a local government chairman?”, he asked.
”It’s not supposed to be that way. All those things are going to be changed. If I am elected by the grace of God, I will move forward with these legislations”, the Assembly candidate vowed.
The full interview will be published soon.
