Oyo Denies Receiving Malami’s Letter On Reinstatement Of Sacked Council Bosses

The Oyo State Government has denied receiving a letter from the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, directing the State Governor, Seyi Makinde to reverse the dissolution of local government administration in the state.

Taiwo Adisa, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, said he had not seen the letter, adding that whenever he saw it, he would know the appropriate response.

However, the controversial letter was said to have been dated January 14, 2020, addressed to the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Oyo State, Prof. Oyewo Oyelowo.

The letter, marked HAGF/OYO/2020/Vol.I/I., was titled, ‘Unconstitutionality of dissolution of elected local government councils and appointment of caretaker committee: the urgent need for compliance with extant judicial decisions.’

The AGF said in view of the decision of the Supreme Court on the matter that is binding on all the 36 states of the federation, “The common practice by some state governors in dissolving elected local government councils is unconstitutional, null and void.

“So, any system of local government run by caretaker committee is illegal and unconstitutional.

“I hereby request all state governors and speakers of state House of Assembly, who are currently acting in breach of the provisions of Section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and also acting in disobedience of the Supreme Court judgment highlighted above to immediately retrace their step by ensuring compliance with the above in the overall interest of the rule of law and our democracy.

“The need to immediately disband all caretaker committee and restore democratically elected representatives to man the local governments has, therefore, become obligatory.

“Mr President and other relevant agencies will be advised further on compliance measures that should be taken in national interest.”

Copies of the letter were sent to the Inspector-General of Police; Director-General, DSS; acting Chairman of the EFCC and the NFIU.

In the same vein, the Chairman of ALGON in Oyo State, Prince Ayodeji Abass – Aleshinloye, said, “We are glad with this development.”

The local government chiefs were sacked by the governor and new caretaker committees were inaugurated barely two months ago for the councils.