Local Government Autonomy: Governor Oborevwori welcomes Supreme Court’s judgement

Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has said that the state government had no issue with Supreme Court’s judgement on Local Government Autonomy.

He also affirmed faith in the transparency of the Local Government polls in the state, saying their transparency reflected his personal faith in democracy and due process.

Oborevwori said that the State Government had over the years supported financial autonomy for legislature and the judiciary.

Speaking to journalists shortly after voting at Unit 33, Osubi Ward 6 in Okpe Local Government Area of the state, Governor Oborevwori said the state believed in autonomy for the Local Government, hence he did not constitute Caretaker Committees for them at the end of the tenure of their immediate past chairmen.

“When I came in, I did not constitute transition committees here in Delta State because I am not in support of transition committees and the Heads of Personnel Management (HPMs) were in charge for three months to enable us conduct elections and, today, by the grace of God, we are having our elections and early next week, those who won would be sworn in.

Delta Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori (right) casting his Vote during the local government council election at Okpe Ward 6, Unit 33 , Osubi on Saturday, July 13, 2024.

“The Supreme Court judgment has no effect here in Delta State because we don’t tamper with local government funds.

“As a former Speaker, we were in the forefront of the issue of autonomy for the legislature and the judiciary. So, that judgment does not affect us here in Delta State.

“In the past, the State Government cleared monies owed by Local Governments in the state. JAAC (the Joint Accounts Allocation Committee) is just a monitoring process to ensure transparency,” Oborevwori added.

On the local government polls, the governor expressed joy in the transparent process, adding that the elections remained free and fair.

Governor Oborevwori said: “When we did the grand finale of our rally in Asaba, I said that we want free and fair elections and that is what we are doing now.

“I came through that same process of free and fair elections and with all the opposition, I won by a very wide margin.

“I have been up since monitoring the process and now I am here to cast my vote and having cast my vote, I am sure that the PDP will be victorious by the grace of God.

“This election is a litmus test for 2027 elections which will show whether we are doing well in line with our MORE Agenda or not. For now, we are not borrowing to execute any project. We are doing our best for Deltans and we will continue to do more in the coming years.”

The governor urged the incoming local government chairmen to be focused and not be distracted, adding that they are the closest government to the people at the grassroot.