For 7 years, running, Ogun State Executive Council has been sitting with no representation from Imeko-Afon LG. ( 2015 till date.)
The State Executive Council (SEC) is the highest decision making body in a democratic system of government, just as the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at the Federal level in Nigeria.
Unlike what obtains at the State level however, where membership of the Council (SEC) is at the discretion of the State Governors, appointments into the Federal cabinet is constitutionally Spelt out; the composition of FEC includes at least, a representative from each State of the Federation. This may be the reason why we have “Ministers of State” possibly to be able to accommodate all federating states at the weekly FEC meeting.
Due to this lacuna (in the case of SEC, not only on Ogun State), it is a common practice to see a local government have more than two representatives in the body while another is not represented at all. This obviously is one of the many flaws in our constitution.
It may be unfair to blame the current administration for the lopsidedness and I am not doing that either but appealing for a reconsideration of this anomalous situation. Of course, the exclusion of the local government has been on for 4 years before the current government came onboard.
Whereas ImekoAfon did not get any tangible appointment in 2015-19, at Present, we have Consultant to the Governor, Senior Special Assistant to Governor, Board chairmen, Board members, representations in Governors Advisory Council among others ,*including the writer of this piece*. We must equally state here that our voice is heard at SEC through our brother, the Honourable Commissioner for Housing, who is presently the commissioner representing both Yewa North and Imeko Afon local governments in the Council. The government has completed several projects in the local government, and there is an ongoing road construction in Okeola in Imeko among others. . We thank the Governor and the government for all these.
While we may think that all is going on well, it is obvious that the people of the Local government are becoming agitated about it. They are wondering how can their Local Government be excluded from that type of body in a State for going to 7 years now? what this mean is that ImekoAfon local government has never been a direct Participant in all the decisions taken in Ogun State ( at that level) in almost 7 years. No special adviser, no commissioner. Is this aberration not gradually becoming a norm?
Meanwhile, there is this believe in some quarters in the local government that the decision makers including our listening governor may not be aware of this detail, hence the need to echo the concerns of the majority of our people and make passionate appeal for reconsideration to help in addressing this ugly trend.
It is in view of this that we plead with our able governor and the government to consider our local government which will no doubt increase the Love and Trust the people of the Local Government have for the administration*
For the avoidance of doubt, the writer of this piece is not only a member of the ruling APC but also a Board Member in the state, who feels that this important information needs to be brought out to the fore in the interest of the good people of Imeko Afon and the government.
We also appreciate our people friendly government for the ongoing projects in our local government while appealing for the completion of the 2 abandoned bridges on Owode/ Obade – Imeko Road which the last administration started around 2014.
Thank you Mr governor and the entire Prince Dapo Abiodun led Ogun State Government.
Wasiu Isiaka
Imeko ward
In Imeko/Afon local government.
