Politics
Diri Speaks On LG Autonomy, Reforms
Sequel to the granting of fiscal autonomy to Nigeria’s Local Government Areas by the Supreme Court, Bayelsa State Governor, Duoye Diri has shared that his state has been practising LG autonomy. In fact, he asserted that the state has been supporting the LGs by augmenting their allocation to ensure prompt payment of salaries and execution of projects.
He took to his verified handle on micro-blogging site, X on Saturday to laud the Supreme Court’s ruling and vent that more reforms were necessary to ensure equity and balance the allocation of national resources for states like Bayelsa who had only eight LGAs, as against other states who have over 40.
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He maintained that “As governor of Bayelsa State, we demand urgent actions to correct this imbalance. Our position is that Bayelsa deserves not less than 30 Local Government Areas.”
He asserted, “And our position from the beginning of this discuss has been that, states should take charge of the number of local governments they can create and cater for.
“You don’t create local governments and take resources from one state to cater for the local governments in another state. That is robbing Peter to pay Paul!”
Gov Diri wrote, “As a government, while we have received the decision of the Supreme Court on the financial autonomy of the Local Government Councils, it must be noted that my administration has been practising the autonomy in principle because we do not tamper with the allocations to the Local Government Areas.
“Rather, the State Government augments the allocation in a number of the LGAs where they are not able to pay salaries to their workers.
“Our reforms in the LGAs have largely sanitized the system to the extent that Local Government Chairmen not only conveniently meet their financial obligations to the workers, but now carry out projects and still have some savings at the end of each month.
“In truth, Bayelsa State has not been fairly treated in the creation of Local Government Areas to the extent that today, we still have just 8 local government areas as opposed to some other states with 44 and 40 local government areas. That to us is a clear injustice!
“And our position from the beginning of this discuss has been that, states should take charge of the number of local governments they can create and cater for.
“You don’t create local governments and take resources from one state to cater for the local governments in another state. That is robbing Peter to pay Paul!
“As governor of Bayelsa State, we demand urgent actions to correct this imbalance. Our position is that Bayelsa deserves not less than 30 Local Government Areas.”
Afrobeats star, David Adeleke, better known as Davido, has expressed his interest in the ongoing Edo State governorship election.
BIZTELLERS reports that residents turned out in large numbers on Saturday to vote in the off-cycle gubernatorial election in Edo State.
Davido has been vocal on X, calling out the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over alleged irregularities in the election process.
His concern raised questions as to why he is so interested in the election, considering that he is not from Edo State.
Addressing the questions via his X handle, Davido explained that his late mother, Imade Veronica Adeleke was from Edo State.
He further explained that aside from his late mom being an Edo State indigene, he should be concerned as a Nigerian.
He recalled calling out INEC during the Osun State gubernatorial election when his uncle, the incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke, was contesting.
The singer wrote, “My mom is from Edo for those wondering why I’m interested in the election … but we as Nigerians should be concerned sha .. @inecnigeria shame on you I know how many times I had to come in here and rant before they got it right in Osun ! It’s really bad. God help us.”
Davido previously endorsed the PDP candidate, Asuen Ighodalo, for the Edo gubernatorial election through his Instagram account.
Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki participated in the ongoing governorship election by casting his vote at polling unit 19, Ward 4, located at Emokpae Primary School in Benin City.
Arriving at the polling station, he was accredited and completed the voting process in under ten minutes.
Following his vote, Obaseki expressed his satisfaction with the election process and called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure a smooth collation of votes.
Read Also: #EdoDecides2024: Ighodalo, Wife Cast Votes
He also praised the resilience of voters who turned out to exercise their franchise despite the heavy rain.
The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Asue Ighodalo, has voted at his voting centre, Okaigben Ward 1, Unit 3, in Idinrio Primary School, Okaigben, Ewohimi, Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State.
Ighodalo arrived at the polling booth at about 10:33am, a few minutes after INEC’s officials arrived.
ALSO READ: #EdoDecides: Suspected Vote Buyers Nabbed In Egor
He, alongside his wife, Ifeyinwa, cast their ballot at Okaigben Ward 1, unit 3, Idinrio Primary School, Okaigben, Ewohimi.
The couple were accredited at about 12.03pm for voting at Okaigben Ward 1, unit 3, Idinrio Primary School, Okaigben, Ewohimi.
The PDP candidate expressed dissatisfaction over the late arrival of voting materials.
He is expected to battle against the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Monday Ekpobholo, for the votes in Edo Central Senatorial District, where both candidates hail from.
The Edo Central Senatorial District comprises of Esan South-East, Igueben and Esan North East, Esan West and Esan Central LGAs.
Speaking after casting his ballot, the governorship candidate expressed displeasure over the slow pace of the process.
“The process has been slow, but thankfully, I’ve finally voted,” he said.
He, however, expresses optimism for victory.
Despite the early morning rain, voters have thronged the various polling units and cast their votes.
Voting has ended at some polling units, and results have been collated.
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