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Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has sacked all Chairmen of Local Government and Local Council Development Authorities in the state.
There are 33 LG chairmen and 35 LCDA chairmen.
A statement by his Chief of Staff, Chief Bisi Ilaka, said the Chairmen have been directed to hand over to their Heads of Local Government Administration (HLA) or most senior directors in their councils.
An embargo has also been placed on all Local and State Government accounts.
The statement reads:
His Excellency, the Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Oluseyi Makinde has directed as follows:
- That all local Government authorities, Local Council Development Authorities be dissolved with immediate effect.
- That all Local Government Chairmen are to hand over to their Heads of Local Government Administration (HLA) or the most Senior Directors in their local government areas and councils.
- That all Boards of Parastatals and corporations be dissolved.
- That embargo be placed on all Local and State Government accounts until further directives.
Signed:
Chief Bisi Ilaka (Chief of Staff to the State Governor)
The Local Council chairmen who are all All Progressives Congress (APC) members, were elected May 12 last year in an election boycotted by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Their sack comes despite the Oyo State High Court order issued on May 6 which restrained the Governor and the House of Assembly from suspending or removing elected local government chairmen, vice chairmen and councilors in the state.
The court, presided over by Justice A. Aderemi, also restrained the state government from freezing or withholding the bank accounts of the councils while their tenure lasts.
In taking the decision to sack the council bosses, Makinde may have relied on the Oyo State Local Government Law 2001 (as amended) which empowers the governor to dissolve elected local government administrations and appoint caretaker teams.