In the wake of Governor Seyi Makinde’s recent directive to Oyo State’s 33 Local Government Chairmen to disassociate from the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) and oppose the Supreme Court’s ruling on financial autonomy, Dr MKO Abimbola (Abogun) the APC candidate for Ibadan South West Local Government in the recently concluded election, has voiced strong condemnation.

 Dr MKO Abimbola (Abogun) criticized Governor Makinde’s actions, accusing him of setting the state against the federal government and undermining the Supreme Court’s authority.

“It is shameful and disheartening that these 33 men prefer to remain stooges or infected fingers of a leprosy man. How dare Governor Makinde challenge the verdict of Nigeria’s Apex Court, by inciting his boys to work against the people, the judiciary, and the federal executive?” he declared.

Governor Makinde’s directive came after the Supreme Court affirmed financial autonomy for local governments, the apex court had directed that financial allocations meant for the 774 local government areas be paid directly to them, declaring the state’s practice of managing these funds unconstitutional.

Despite widespread approval of the Supreme Court’s decision, Governor Makinde ordered the Local Government Chairmen to reject the ruling and maintain the status quo of channeling funds through the State Joint Local Government Account. This directive has sparked controversy and raised questions about the governor’s adherence to constitutional governance.

He further called for legislative action to ensure the autonomy of local governments.

“The National Assembly should do what is needed and pass a clean bill allowing a new local government electoral system so that the people can breathe!” he urged.