Gbolahan Balogun
Chief Abdulateef Kunle Ajeigbe, Chairman, Awrab Suites and Hotel, Offa, Kwara State and Coordinator of the Stakeholders Forum on Good Governance, has called on the Offa community to reject imposed ‘yes-men’ and support candidates who truly reflect the values and aspirations of Offa in the upcoming local government elections.
Addressing local leaders, politicians, and community members at the venue of a sensitisation programme in the town, Ajeigbe stressed the need for leadership committed to genuine development and autonomy for Offa Local Government Area.
Chief Ajeigbe highlighted the recent Supreme Court verdict affirming the financial autonomy of Nigeria’s 774 local governments as a pivotal moment for local governance. He lamented the state of stagnation in Offa Local Government, attributing it to deliberate actions of successive state governments.
According to him, over 9 billion Naira was accrued to Offa Local Government between January 2019 and June 2024, yet there is no significant development to show for it.
Chief Ajeigbe criticized Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq for failing to conduct local government elections over the past six years, calling it a “blatant disregard for democratic principles.” He urged the community to take a stand in the upcoming September election by electing a leader with a genuine commitment to Offa’s development and no ties to the state government.
“We must support a sound candidate who has a deep love for our community and no attachment to the state government,” Chief Ajeigbe declared. “We need a leader who will harness the ample human resources and capabilities within Offa to make our local government outstanding once again.”
The former Managing Director of Union Bank, Cameroon underscored the importance of local government autonomy, explaining that decentralization allows local governments to manage public affairs, raise funds, and provide essential socio-economic services. Despite numerous reforms, he said, state governments have continued to exert undue control over local governments, often dissolving elected councils for political reasons, he noted.
In his call to action, Chief Ajeigbe emphasised the need for accountability, transparency, and dedication from local leaders. “We must reject imposed ‘yes-men’ and ensure that our local government is led by individuals who genuinely care about our progress and prosperity,” he stated.
Ajeigbe concluded by encouraging the community to make history by electing leaders who can leverage autonomy to bring tangible development and good governance to Offa. “Together, we can make Offa Local Government a model of autonomy and progress,” he said.
The speech resonated with the attendees, many of whom expressed their readiness to work towards a more autonomous and prosperous future for Offa Local Government.
Some participants however warned that the group should embark on immediate sensitisation of the community so that its laudable intention was not misconstrued by selfish politicians. Alhaji Tajudeen Aro, a former State Public Relations Officer of the All Progressives Party said though the group’s effort typifies the can-do and communal love that the community is known for, it should shield itself from partisanship but stick to supporting the most credible candidates in the coming local government election.
Another participant, Alhaji Musbau Salaudeen Fuji was of the view that no self determination is achieved without a resistance arguing that there was no way the group would not lean to a party since there was no room for independent candidature.
Engineer Kola Shittu, a former state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party expressed his goodwill and lauded the good intention of the group.
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