Local government chairmen in Oyo State have explained why they joined other elected officials of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state to pass a vote of confidence in Governor Seyi Makinde.
The endorsement formed part of the resolutions reached at a strategic stakeholders’ meeting of all elected PDP officials in the state held on Sunday at Jagz Hotel in the Iyaganku area of Ibadan.
In a statement made available to journalists in Ibadan, the Chairman of the Forum of Local Government Chairmen in Oyo State, Hon. Sikiru Sanda, and the forum’s Publicity Secretary, Hon. Ibrahim Akintayo, said the council bosses considered the governor worthy of continued support due to his outstanding leadership and administrative performance.
According to them, the decision to join in passing the vote of confidence aside from what was said in the communique was based on the governor’s commitment to policies and projects that have strengthened local government administration and promoted grassroots development across the 33 local government areas of the state.
The chairmen noted that the administration of Governor Makinde restored democratic governance at the local government level through the conduct of local government elections in 2021, which produced elected chairmen and councillors after years of caretaker arrangements. They said the move strengthened grassroots governance and improved accountability at the council level.
They also highlighted the implementation of community-based development initiatives through the Oyo State Community and Social Development Agency (OYCSDA), under which over 300 micro-projects were executed in more than 140 communities across the state. The projects, they said, include the provision of boreholes, construction of classroom blocks, establishment of health facilities, and improvement of rural access roads.
The council leaders further commended the governor for strengthening community security through the establishment and support of the Western Nigeria Security Network (Amotekun), which operates across local governments to enhance grassroots safety. They added that the institutionalisation of regular security council meetings in all local government areas has created a platform for collaboration among traditional rulers, security agencies, and community leaders in tackling security challenges.
The chairmen also pointed to ongoing infrastructure development across the state, particularly road construction and rehabilitation projects linking communities and local government areas, which they said have improved mobility and stimulated economic activities in rural and semi-urban areas.
They noted that the Makinde administration has also prioritised healthcare delivery at the grassroots through the renovation and equipping of primary health centres across the state, improving access to essential medical services for residents.
In addition, the council chairmen said several solar-powered boreholes and water supply projects have been installed in different communities to enhance access to clean water and sanitation.
They also praised the governor’s interventions in the education sector, which include the construction and renovation of classrooms and other educational infrastructure across local government areas to improve learning conditions in public schools.
The chairmen maintained that these and other initiatives informed their decision to support the governor and express confidence in his leadership.
