By Osun, Nigeria – The Osun Council of Obas, a body of traditional rulers across the state, released a statement after their meeting on Tuesday, August 19, at the palace of the Ooni of Ife, calling upon President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and resolve the issues regarding the payment of Local Government allocations. The traditional rulers present at the meeting stated that the traditional communities and institutions across the 30 Local Government Areas have been negatively affected.
The council stated, “Traditional rulers, being natural leaders and closest to the people, are critical stakeholders in nation-building, human development, and community engagement, structured to be empowered to perform optimally through a functioning local government administration.” “As purely apolitical fathers of the land, we are not interested in the politics, individual differences, or whatever may be responsible for the seizure of the local government allocations. Our interest is to see a working society and functional local government for the benefit of all, especially the vulnerable individuals across our communities. It is an open secret that the traditional institution across the country is upheld through the five per cent deductions from the Local Government allocation, and when this is not available, it will be almost impossible for us to serve our people adequately,” the council added.
The Council of Obas further expressed, “It amazes us daily to see secretariats that have suddenly become inactive because the allocations meant for their smooth running have been withheld for several months over issues that have nothing to do with the common people, who are currently suffering the brunt. Our markets, community roads, and other responsibilities of the Local Government are suffering badly, and we, as traditional rulers, cannot afford to pretend that we do not see these problems.”
More still, the council has called on Mr President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene. They stated, “We would be glad if Mr President could hear the cries of common community dwellers across our farmlands and villages, who are suffering greatly from the total deactivation of local government activities for several months.” The Council of Obas implored the President that whether in a political or judicial capacity, resolving the crisis will greatly benefit Osun State, particularly its rural communities. Additionally, it will re-energise the traditional institutions throughout the region to continue supporting the Asiwaju Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government in the effective delivery of the “Renewed Hope Agenda.”
