The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, on Wednesday, said it would resist any attempt by governors to scuttle the passage of the newly passed Local Government Autonomy Bill at the State levels after it was passed by the National Assembly.
The threat came barely 24 hours after the approval of the proposed amendments to the 1999 Constitution to grant financial autonomy to state legislatures, judiciary and the 774 local government areas in the country by the National Assembly.
The approval was said to have followed voting on the report of the ad hoc committee on the review of the 1999 constitution (5th alteration) Bills 2022.
The President of NULGE, Akeem Olatunji, told journalists that the labour movement got a credible intelligence that state governors were making frantic efforts to ensure that the needed concurrence on passage of the Bill at the State Houses of Assembly does not see light of the day.
According to him, the 36 governors under the aegis of Nigerian Governors’ Forum led by Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, were hell-bent in destroying the third tier of government – a situation he said had caused insecurity at the grassroots.
“Intelligence reports revealed to us that the chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Kayode Fayemi, is trying to scuttle National Assembly passage of the Bill on Local Government autonomy by holding clandestine, nocturnal meetings with some strategic stakeholders out of desperation.
“He wants to ensure he frustrates the attempt to pass the Local Government autonomy Bill at the various State Houses of Assembly.
“Let’s also inform him that we are aware he’s exiting the office in the next seven months. He should be patriotic enough and stand with the Nigerian people. He should not use his opportunity to destroy this nation. History will remember him for his role.
“We want to tell Ekiti people to call Governor Fayemi to order before it is too late. NULGE and Labour movement will not tolerate any opposition against the passage of this Bill at the State level because it is uncalled for,” he said.
Olatunji, however, said that market women, youths, artisans, and other unions were already being mobilised to occupy all 36 State Houses of Assembly and remain there till the Bill gets approval of all State lawmakers.
“We are going to organise and occupy all Houses of Assembly in the 36 States. All of us, market women, youths, artisans, among others, have to come together to occupy various States Houses of Assembly until this autonomy Bill concurrence is granted,” he said.
