NULGE lambasts Ekiti assembly for voting against LG autonomy

The Ekiti State chapter of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees has lambasted members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly for voting against the autonomy of local governments in the country.

The union described the lawmakers’ action as conspiracy against the actualization of the local government autonomy.

NULGE particularly expressed dismay at the action of the pro-Governor Ayo Fayose lawmakers, led by its Speaker, Hon. Dele Olugbemi, for resisting the local government autonomy in the ongoing constitution amendment, saying this had shown that they are not true representatives of the people.

In a statement signed in Ado Ekiti on Thursday by its Secretary, Victor Adebayo, NULGE said it smacks of ignorance and insensitivity for the lawmakers, who were voted for by those at the grassroots, to have killed the opportunity that would have brought development to the less privileged.

NULGE  stated that the action of the Ekiti lawmakers  and their

colleagues, who also resisted the policy  across the country , as not

being independent as they are supposed to be.

It will be recalled that the PDP lawmakers had during its sitting of December 23 voted against local government autonomy, contrary to the step earlier taken by APC lawmakers, who voted in support.

Condemning the act, NULGE said: “To us, this is a clear case of joining others to do evil as in the case in most of the state assemblies.

“With the position of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, it cannot be said that the members are committed to the realization of a better society, where opportunity will abound for the actualization of common man’s aspiration irrespective of their political leanings.

“Our union has made it known that the continuous attempt to keep the LGs as mere administrative units has not encouraged the functionaries occupying  positions at the tier of government to maximally apply their initiatives for development.

“All these accounted for why NULGE identifies with progressive-minded Nigerians to advocate the needed financial, structural and economic freedom that would better address the inherent shortcomings that have conspired all along to bug down the system.

“And instead of the members of the Ekiti Assembly to support the laudable efforts anticipated to free the third tier of government from bondage militating against its transformation, they offered to miss the golden chance. They took side with those who are pursuing myopic and selfish interests.”

NULGE, which said the battle might seem to have been lost today, assured Nigerians that the body will continue to fight on the side of the downtrodden until their voices are heard in this regard.

It added: “However, the decision of the Ekiti lawmakers is a clear case of those who abandoned their constituents when they need them most and it should serve as a lesson to the electorate during the 2015 general elections.

“But on our part, the struggle continues  and we know that victory is certain. We also appeal to our members to await further directives from the union.”