The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Oyo State, Sen. Sharafadeen Alli, has pledged to ensure full financial and administrative autonomy for local government councils if elected governor in 2027.
Alli gave the pledge on Tuesday at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, while
delivering the keynote address during a conference marking the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Local Government Reforms in Nigeria.
The conference with theme “Strategies for Repositioning Local Government for Sustainable Development in Nigeria.” was organised by the institution’s Department of Local Government and Development Studies.
The APC governorship candidate described effective grassroots governance as the foundation for sustainable development.
He said that local governments had continued to perform below expectations despite being constitutionally recognised as the tier of government closest to the people.
According to him, local councils are strategically positioned to provide essential services, including primary healthcare, basic education, rural infrastructure, sanitation, agricultural support and community development.
He, however, noted that persistent political interference, weak financial independence, poor governance structures, inadequate administrative capacity and limited citizen participation had hindered their effectiveness.
Alli said that his administration would pursue policies that would guarantee genuine financial and administrative autonomy for local governments across the state.
He said the move would enable the councils to function efficiently and respond directly to the developmental needs of their communities.
“Empowering local governments will deepen democracy, accelerate rural development, improve service delivery and strengthen public confidence in governance,” he said.
Reflecting on the 1976 Local Government Reforms introduced during the military administration of Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo, following initiatives of the late Gen. Murtala Muhammed, Alli described the reforms as a milestone in Nigeria’s political and administrative evolution.
He said the reforms introduced a uniform local government system nationwide, recognised local governments as the third tier of government, institutionalised statutory allocations and promoted democratic governance and professional staffing.
The senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District said that although the reforms laid a solid foundation for grassroots governance, many of their objectives had been weakened by constitutional, political and administrative challenges.
He called on the National Assembly to amend relevant provisions of the Constitution to strengthen local government autonomy, including the abolition of the State-Local Government Joint Account system.
Alli stressed that financial autonomy must be complemented with effective accountability mechanisms and stronger legislative oversight to ensure transparency and prudent management of public resources.
He also urged state governments to minimise unnecessary interference in local government administration.
The APC candidate further called on development partners to support capacity building, institutional reforms and digital governance initiatives across local councils.
He advocated regular public budget reporting, inclusive decision-making and performance-based incentives for local governments that demonstrate prudent resource management and efficient service delivery.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of OAU, Prof. A.S. Bamire, commended Alli for accepting the institution’s invitation to deliver the keynote address.
Bamire acknowledged the contributions of past leaders, particularly the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, to the establishment and growth of the university.
He also appealed to Alli to promote collaboration among South-West governors toward providing criti
cal infrastructure for the institution if elected governor of Oyo State.
In his welcome address, the Head of the Department of Local Government and Development Studies, Prof. O.O. Adeyemi, said the conference provided an opportunity to reflect on five decades of local government administration and examine its future in Africa’s evolving governance landscape.
Also speaking, the Dean of the Faculty of Administration, Prof. R.O. Salawu, said Africa still faced enormous challenges in translating economic growth into sustainable human development.
The conference featured the presentation of five awards to Alli in recognition of his contributions to governance, leadership and grassroots development.
Among those who accompanied the APC candidate to the event were Dr Tunji Olanipekun, Prince Niran Adeyoju, Alhaji Akeem Muili, Hon. Wasiu Emiola, Hon. Sikiru Alli, Alhaja Tinu Adigun, Hon. Peju Esan, Mr Sola Alabi, Dr Sarafa Agbogun, Mr Ajibola Hamzat, Elder David Oluokun, Ayodele Adedokun and Idris Agboola.
