By David Oluokun
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) monitoring of Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) disbursements to Nigeria’s 36 states and 774 local government areas has brought renewed attention to fiscal accountability and transparency in public administration.
The decision presents an opportunity to strengthen institutional oversight and ensure public resources are deployed for the benefit of citizens, particularly at the grassroots where the impact of government expenditure ought to be most visible.
For years, concerns have persisted over the management of local government finances, particularly under joint-account arrangements that have often generated controversies about the financial independence of councils and their capacity to discharge constitutional responsibilities.
The President’s intervention, if implemented transparently and consistently, could provide an important framework for addressing these concerns.
Nowhere is this conversation more pertinent than in Oyo State, where Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration continues to face questions over the management and effectiveness of local government administration.
THE OYO LOCAL GOVERNMENT QUESTION:
For over six years, the administration of Governor Makinde has attracted considerable political debate over the independence, administration and financial management of local government councils.
The controversy surrounding the emergence of local government chairmen, the relationship between the councils and the state government, as well as the condition of grassroots infrastructure, raises fundamental questions about the extent to which local governments have been allowed to discharge their constitutional responsibilities.
A visit to some council secretariats across the state, including Iwajowa, Irepo, Olorunsogo, Saki West and Oriire, presents an uncomfortable picture of deteriorating infrastructure and inadequate administrative facilities.
In some instances, overgrown premises, dilapidated buildings and inadequate operational equipment are difficult to reconcile with the enormous developmental responsibilities assigned to local governments.
This naturally raises a fundamental question: what has become of the financial resources accruing to these councils over the years?
It is not enough for governments to announce allocations or celebrate revenue inflows. The ultimate justification for public expenditure must be found in the quality of life of the people.
The proposed EFCC monitoring framework should therefore provide an opportunity to examine the relationship between allocations received and projects delivered.
Governor Makinde and the relevant local government authorities must be prepared to provide comprehensive and verifiable accounts of public expenditure. The people deserve to know how much each council received, how the resources were appropriated and what tangible projects were executed.
This is not a demand for political persecution; it is a legitimate expectation of responsible governance.
FINANCIAL AUTONOMY MUST GO BEYOND COURT JUDGMENTS:
The Supreme Court’s landmark judgment affirming local government financial autonomy marked an important milestone in Nigeria’s democratic development.
However, judicial pronouncements alone cannot guarantee effective grassroots administration. Their significance must be reflected in practical governance, transparent financial management and the capacity of elected councils to discharge their statutory responsibilities.
True local government autonomy must not become a political slogan deployed during electioneering campaigns. It must be demonstrated through institutional independence, accountable leadership and direct developmental benefits to local communities.
The EFCC’s oversight should consequently focus on verifiable financial records, procurement procedures, project implementation and compliance with established public finance regulations.
Equally important, the exercise must be impartial and guided strictly by evidence rather than political considerations.
THE QUESTION OF POLITICAL CONTINUITY:
The debate over accountability also brings into focus the political succession conversation in Oyo State ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Bimbo Adekanmbi, who is associated with the political camp of Governor Makinde, has become part of the conversation surrounding the future direction of the state.
His reported disposition towards continuing from where the incumbent governor stops raises an important question about what precisely should be continued and what requires fundamental reconsideration.
Continuity, in itself, is not necessarily a virtue. It becomes meaningful when it preserves successful policies, strengthens effective institutions and improves the welfare of citizens.
Conversely, where existing policies or administrative practices attract legitimate public criticism, continuity without critical reassessment could amount to the perpetuation of avoidable governance deficiencies.
Oyo State requires a successor administration prepared to subject existing policies to objective scrutiny, address institutional weaknesses and place public interest above political loyalty.
The future of the state should not be determined solely by the political preferences of an incumbent administration. It must be shaped by the aspirations and collective interests of its people.
WHY BSA REPRESENTS A DIFFERENT CONVERSATION:
Against this backdrop, Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli (BSA) represents an alternative in the unfolding political conversation about Oyo State’s future.
His advocacy for local government autonomy and grassroots development speaks to an important governance question: how can public resources be managed more effectively to deliver tangible benefits to communities?
A BSA-led administration would have an opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to strengthening local government institutions, ensuring accountability and creating an enabling environment for councils to perform their constitutional functions.
The challenge is to move beyond political declarations and provide a clear, measurable framework for local government administration.
Such a framework should prioritise functional council secretariats, accessible primary healthcare, quality basic education, rural road rehabilitation, potable water and improved environmental sanitation.
Above all, local government allocations must be treated as public resources held in trust for the people, not as instruments of political patronage.
THE RESPONSIBILITY BEFORE 2027:
President Tinubu’s approval of EFCC monitoring of FAAC allocations should be viewed as an opportunity to deepen accountability across all tiers of government.
The exercise must not be selective, nor should it become a weapon for settling political scores. Every state and local government benefiting from public allocations should be prepared to demonstrate how such resources have been utilised.
For Oyo State, the moment presents an opportunity for a serious conversation about the future of grassroots governance, the management of public finances and the quality of leadership required to drive sustainable development.
The people deserve functioning institutions, accountable representatives and measurable dividends of democracy.
Ultimately, the argument is not merely about Governor Makinde, his political associates or those seeking to succeed him. It is about the fundamental responsibility of government to account for every public resource entrusted to its care.
As the 2027 political contest approaches, the electorate must look beyond political affiliations, campaign promises and succession arrangements. The more important consideration should be which leadership can guarantee transparency, institutional accountability and development across the length and breadth of Oyo State.
The era of treating public funds as political privileges must give way to a culture of accountability. That is the real test of democratic governance, and the people of Oyo State deserve nothing less.