The Ibadan Northwest chairmanship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the forthcoming Oyo state local government election, Hon. Adesina Temitope, emphasised the necessity of local government autonomy in Nigeria during a press conference in Ibadan on Wednesday.
Adesina stated, “For local government to play its primary role as the closest government to the people, it must be autonomous.”
The SDP chieftain expressed concern over the current situation where state governments have encroached on the local government’s responsibilities, particularly in revenue generation.
“Local government autonomy would bring infrastructural development to the rural communities and effective service delivery to the masses,” he emphasised, adding, “If autonomy is achieved, it will bring back the good old days when local government was strong, and infrastructural development was undertaken in rural areas by local government chairmen.”
Addressing residents and community leaders across the 11 wards of the local government, he assured them of timely delivery of the dividends of democracy if elected as the next local government chairman of Ibadan Northwest next year.
“I want to assure every resident of this local government that no ward will be left untouched in terms of developmental projects my administration will embark upon when, by the grace of God, I become the next chairman,” Adesina said.
The former chairman of the SDP in the local government also pledged to implement the party’s programmes if elected, asserting that the SDP is the only masses’ friendly party in Nigeria.
He urged the people of the council area to vote for him in the April 2024 local government election.
