Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has declared that he will not authorize payments to the sacked local government chairmen until the Supreme Court issues a directive to do so.
The governor made this announcement in response to a garnishee order obtained by the former chairmen from an Abuja Federal High Court, attaching the state government’s accounts in 10 commercial banks.
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Justice A.O. Ebong, on December 15, granted the garnishee order following a proceeding initiated by the local government chairmen who were dismissed by Governor Makinde on May 29, 2019. The Supreme Court had previously nullified the sack of the chairmen and councilors on May 7, 2021, deeming it unconstitutional.
Despite a substantial judgment awarded to the former chairmen, of which a partial payment of N1.5 billion had been made, Governor Makinde remains steadfast in withholding further payments.
The governor asserted that his administration would not succumb to pressure to release state funds to what he deems as the “wrong hands” until all legal avenues are exhausted.
Makinde justified the 2019 dismissal of the ex-LG chairmen by highlighting the alleged unconstitutionality of their elections. He described the recent federal high court ruling in Abuja as an “abuse of the court process.”
Governor Makinde Maintains Stance On Not Paying Sacked LG Chairmen
“The ex-LG chairmen will not get a dime until the Supreme Court asks us to pay. I will not pay into wrong people. This is a government that is based on the constitution,” emphasized Governor Makinde during his response.
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In addition to addressing the legal dispute, the governor also commented on the alleged conversion of Agodi forest into a housing estate. Makinde dismissed the concerns raised by those opposing the move, stating that the decision would bring economic and security benefits to the state.
He maintained that the transformation of Agodi forest was a well-considered decision aimed at fostering overall development.
