IJESA LEADERS INSTALL MONITORS IN SUPPORT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTONOMY

Obas and Communities in Ijesaland have universally agreed to uphold Good Governance at Local Governments in Ijesaland during the Ijesaland Stakeholders Conference for the Inauguration and Public Presentation of Ijesaland Independent Development Monitors (IIDM) Members to the public. 

 Asiwaju Olayinka Fasuyi, The Asiwaju of Ijesaland who doubles as the Chairman of the Ijesa 

Community Development Assembly (ICDA) and the Chairman, Ijesaland Independent Development Monitors (IIDM) Steering Committee, stated in his keynote address that local governments in Nigeria have suffered for years under the oppressive influence of the state administration, which frequently erodes their autonomy because it has substantial control over local councils. This control took many forms, such as the installation of caretaker committees, the dissolution of elected councils, and the manipulation of local government budgets via the State Joint Local Government Account. These tactics have hampered local governance, inhibited growth, and disenfranchised citizens at the grassroots level. The over-centralisation of power perpetuated inefficiencies and corruption.  

He claims that the landmark decision made by the Supreme Court on Thursday, July 11, 2024, freed the councils from the control of the state government, giving them financial independence, and upheld the constitutional guarantee of a system of local government run by democratically elected councils. But local government autonomy has elicited responses from a variety of stakeholders, primarily focused on concerns and worries regarding the Chairpersons of LGAs' ability to use this newfound opportunity to responsibly, sensibly, and sustainably transform their respective communities of jurisdiction using funds from the Federal Allocation in addition to their own Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).  

 

Asiwaju Fasuyi stated that these concerns were the driving force behind the creation of the Ijesaland Independent Development Monitors (IIDM). He stressed that Ijesaland Independent 

Development Monitors (IIDM), a monitoring group was birthed by Ijesa Community Development Assembly (ICDA) and endorsed by His Imperial Majesty Oba (Dr.) Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II, CFR, LL.D, Owa Obokun Adimula and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland on Thursday 29th August, 2024  with a responsibility to enthrone good governance, transparency, and accountability in the use and application of public resources most especially at all our six local governments in Ijesaland.  

According to him, Ijesaland Independent Development Monitors (IIDM) is a Win-Win situation for all Stakeholders involved in Ijesaland, including politicians and the Political Class, Electorates, Community Members, Women, Men, Youth, Traditional Rulers, Chiefs, Vulnerable Groups, Market Associations, Religious Organizations, The Poorest of The Poor, Socio-Cultural Groups, PAN Societies, And Clubs, Among Others.  

Asiwaju Olayinka Fasuyi further reiterated that Ijesaland Independent Development Monitors (IIDM) will be proactively shielding the political groups from the exposure and vulnerabilities to anti-corruption agencies like Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices & Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), Community Based Organisations (CBOs), Federal Ministry of Justice and other litigants. He noted that out of the three tiers of government in Nigeria, President has Immunity while in Office, State Governors have Immunity while Office but Local Government Chairmen do not have Immunity while in the Office. 

Since Local Government Chairpersons are not protected by the Constitution, the Federal Ministry of Justice, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices & Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), and Community Based Organizations (CBOs) are all poised to take legal action against any Local Government Chairperson found to have embezzled funds.  Asiwaju Olayinka Fasuyi stressed that Ijesaland Independent Development Monitors (IIDM) will be proactively monitoring the activities of the Local Government Areas in Ijesaland and helping call attention to activities in which Local Government claimed to have done and identify with them where there are gaps. This is to prevent the EFCC embarrassing our Chairpersons and Vice Chairpersons, SERAP humiliating them, and the ICPC arresting them. He pointed out that primary education—the cornerstone of the development of human capital will be attended to through the monitoring of local government activities, and children will have access to high-quality primary education. He also mentioned agriculture as a means of ensuring food security, as farmers will be able to cultivate on their farms year-round with the aid of mechanized farming and irrigation systems to increase productivity.  

The Representative of Iwarefa-Mefa Ijesa, Alademure Ogboni of Ibokun, HRM Oba Festus Kayode Awogboro, also spoke at the Inauguration. He said that the Ijesaland Independent Development Monitors (IIDM) will help people understand what democracy means that is, the Government of the People, by the People, and for the People—which has long been alienated for the People. 

 

HRM Oba Samson Kehinde Oyebade Oyeleye, the President of the Ijesa South Traditional Rulers Council and Ogboni of Ipole, stated that the Ijesaland Independent Development Monitors (IIDM) will realign the traditional institution and guarantee their integration into the leadership and framework of governance.  

 

According to HRM Oba Adeyemi Adediran, President Ijesa North Traditional Rulers Council & Owamiran of Esa-Oke, poor governance has brought the nation to its knees and is mostly to blame for the calamities of the past and present. But in the six local government areas of Ijesaland, IIDM will establish sustainable democracy, egalitarianism, effective and efficient systems, accountable and responsive democracy, and good governance.  

 

HRM Oba (Prof) Owosekun, the Asotun of Isotun-Ijesa, stated that the ICDA's initiative to create IIDM is really commendable. He went on to say that although the idea of IIDM should have been introduced sooner rather than later, it is never too late. He emphasized further that the Local Chairmen will be able to concentrate on providing services and development initiatives that will improve accountability and governance thanks to the efforts of IIDM.  

 

HRM Oba (Dr.) Adebayo Faforiji, the Alamuye of Amuye Faforiji-Ijesa, stated that IIDM will guarantee the unhindered provision of basic services to the populace, including healthcare, primary education,and infrastructure development.  

 

According to HRM Oba Enoch Ademola Akinyemi, Chairman of the Obokun Local Government Traditional Rulers Council, Owa Ooye of Imesi-Ile, IIDM is essential to advancing accountability, transparency, and results-driven administration in Ijesaland.  

 

Owaloko of Iloko-Ijesa, HRM Oba Hakeem Olusayo King Ogungbamgbe applauded the ICDA in its transformation agenda in ensuring that good governance are delivered to the people in Ijesaland. 

The Ijesaland Stakeholders Conference also featured the Swearing- in of 7- Members of Ijesaland Independent Development Monitors (IIDM) which was presided over by Barr. Dele Ibironke, SAN. The Inaugurated Members included Dr. Adigun Adewoye as the Chairman; Sir Ademola Aladekomo, Vice Chairman; Dr. Olusanya Olujide, General Secretary; Dr. Oluremi Folorunso, Member; Barr. Funmi Obisan, Member; Mr. Ayodeji Odeyemi, Member; Mr. Tobi Adeleye, Member.  

Also featured at the Ijesaland Stakeholders Conference was the Public Presentation of Register Of Advocates of Good Governance In Ijesaland by Asiwaju Olayinka Fasuyi. 

The IIDM Chairman, Dr. Adigun Adewoye appreciated the ICDA for the confidence reposed in him and other members of IIDM to serve in this capacity. He promised to pursue the objectives of IIDM and strengthen Good Governance, Transparency, Accountability and Results-driven Administration in the Six Local Government Areas of Ijesaland through their monitoring assessment.  

The attendance at the Ijesaland Stakeholders Conference for the Inauguration and Public Presentation of Ijesaland Independent Development Monitors (IIDM) comprises of  the Traditional Rulers from all the Six Local Government Areas in Ijesaland, Pan- Ijesa Societies and Clubs; Churches and Mosque Leaders; Professional Bodies and Associations; All the Vocational Trade Associations; The Youth Organisations and The Market 

Women and Men Leaders, representing all the stakeholders in Ijesaland unanimously endorsed the instrument of Ijesaland Independent Development Monitors (IIDM) for the promotion of Good Governance, Transparency, Accountability and Results-driven Administration of the Six Local Government Areas in Ijesaland.