APC Candidate Criticizes Governors' Interference in Local Government

Sharafadeen Alli, the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate for Oyo State ahead of the 2027 general elections, declared that unnecessary interference by governors is a primary factor undermining the local government system in Nigeria. He made this statement on Tuesday while delivering a keynote address at a conference marking the 50th anniversary of the 1976 local government reform in Nigeria, held at Obafemi Awolowo University in Osun State.

Alli, who previously served as a local government chairman in Oyo State, explained that persistent political interference from governors has resulted in slow development within local governments. He identified issues such as weak financial independence, poor governance structures, inadequate administrative capacity, and limited citizen participation as significant challenges facing local governments.

Alli urged state governors to cease unnecessary interference in matters related to local government councils and pledged that if elected governor in 2027, he would ensure full financial and administrative autonomy for local government councils, thereby empowering them to deepen democracy, accelerate rural development, improve service delivery, and strengthen public confidence in governance.