…says LGs now control allocations, budgets
* SUGA declares support for Tinubu’s 2027 re-election
By Fisayo Akinduro
& Precious Oluwole
Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has declared that the state is already operating full autonomy for local governments and the judiciary in practical terms, notwithstanding pending legislative formalities.
The governor made the assertion at the Armed Forces Cenotaph Ground, Akure, while addressing members of the Sunshine Grassroots Alliance (SUGA), who simultaneously declared their support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in 2027.
Aiyedatiwa explained that although certain constitutional and legislative adjustments were yet to be concluded, the state government had commenced the practical implementation of autonomy for local councils and the judiciary.
According to him, allocations accruing to the 18 local government areas are no longer withheld at the state level, as funds are transferred in full to the councils for utilisation in line with their approved budgets.
“Even though the law has not been fully perfected to grant absolute autonomy, we have been implementing it in practice. Once funds hit the joint allocation account, they are moved wholly to the local governments, which then deploy them based on their budgets,” he said.
He further clarified that local government authorities now undertake their own budgetary processes, subject only to formal approval, after which funds are released for their independent use.
On the judiciary, the governor stated that financial autonomy is equally being practised, noting that the arm of government now manages its resources without recourse to the executive for routine approvals.
He said, “We have also granted autonomy to the judiciary. They operate based on their budget and their financial requests no longer come to me for approval, except in cases requiring special intervention for major projects.”
Aiyedatiwa, who expressed appreciation to the group for its sustained support, recalled the role played by grassroots workers, particularly under the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, in his emergence during the 2024 governorship election.
He described the endorsement he received from the group as pivotal, noting that it triggered wider political support across the state.
“The highest number of votes ever recorded in a governorship election in Ondo State; 366,781 was achieved during that election and you were instrumental to that success,” he said.
Projecting ahead to the 2027 general election, the governor declared that the state would deliver a minimum of one million votes for President Tinubu, expressing confidence in the capacity of grassroots structures to achieve the target.
He also commended the Federal Government for what he described as impactful interventions in the state, citing key infrastructural projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Ibadan–Ilesa–Akure–Benin Road corridor and the ongoing dualisation of the Ore–Akure Road.
He further highlighted the number of ministers appointed from the state, stressing that this serves as a clear justification for the state’s full support for the President in the interest of continuity.
The governor further referenced increased federal allocations, implementation of the student loan scheme, attributing improved fiscal capacity at the state level to ongoing economic reforms.
Earlier in his remarks, the Director-General of SUGA for President Bola Tinubu in Ondo state, Mr. Deji Akinwalere, declared the group’s endorsement of the President for a second term.
He described the mobilisation as a deliberate grassroots-driven effort to demonstrate support for both the governor and the President, noting that members of the alliance comprise active and retired local government workers, teachers and pensioners with extensive community networks.
Akinwalere stated that the group had passed a vote of confidence in President Tinubu, citing his reform agenda and commitment to federalism, particularly in advancing local government autonomy.
He added that the alliance had resolved to support the President’s re-election, pledging discipline, unity and loyalty, while also reaffirming Aiyedatiwa as its political leader in the state.
The group further committed to deploying its grassroots structures across all local government areas to mobilise support for the President ahead of the 2027 general election.