The immediate past Special Adviser on Labour Matters to Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, Comrade Sikiru Bayo Titilola-Sodo, has said local governments across Nigeria have been receiving their statutory allocations directly into their respective accounts since January 2026, urging Nigerians to demand accountability from council administrations over the utilisation of the funds.
Titilola-Sodo, who recently resigned his appointment to pursue his governorship ambition under the platform of the Action Alliance (AA) ahead of the 2027 general election, made the remarks during an interview with broadcaster Abiodun Adewole, popularly known as Mr. Double A, on Gbangba, a current affairs programme on Splash 105.5 FM, Ibadan.
The former President of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Oyo State and former Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the state weighed in on the ongoing national conversation surrounding local government autonomy.
According to him, while the Supreme Court judgment on local government financial autonomy is a welcome development, it should not be interpreted as granting councils complete administrative independence.
“There is no complete or total local government autonomy yet. The administration of local governments is still subject to Section 7 of the Constitution,” he said.
“I can assure you that every local government in Nigeria, not just those in Oyo State has been receiving its allocation directly into its account since January this year. Perhaps the question Nigerians should be asking is what the local governments are doing with the money.”
He explained that local governments now bear significant statutory responsibilities, including the payment of salaries of council workers and primary school teachers, funding of primary healthcare centres, and settlement of pensions for eligible retirees within those sectors.
“The local governments are responsible not only for paying their staff but also primary school teachers, maintaining primary healthcare centres and paying pensions for workers from those sectors. We must therefore develop a workable framework so that, in trying to solve one problem, we do not end up creating another,” he stated.
Titilola-Sodo stressed that greater transparency and accountability at the grassroots level would be critical to ensuring that the objectives of local government financial autonomy translate into improved service delivery for residents.
On his political ambition, the former labour leader said his decision to resign as Governor Makinde’s Special Adviser on Labour Matters was informed by his determination to seek the state’s highest office in 2027 under the Action Alliance.
He described Governor Makinde’s administration as one that has recorded notable achievements across critical sectors, adding that he possesses the experience required to consolidate on those gains.
“I believe Governor Seyi Makinde has done well for Oyo State. My aspiration is to continue from where he stops and build on the foundation that has been laid. I have the experience from the labour movement and public service to move the state to the next level,” he said.
Titilola-Sodo served as President of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Oyo State chapter, before becoming Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the state. He later joined Governor Makinde’s administration as Special Adviser on Labour Matters, a position he recently resigned to pursue his governorship ambition ahead of the 2027 elections.
