From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
The newly sworn-in Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of the sixteen Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Kwara State have been charged to focus on accountability and the welfare of their constituents.
This call was made by Chief Stephen Wole Oke, former Leader of the Kwara State House of Assembly in the Second Republic, following Saturday’s local government elections.
In his remarks, Chief Oke, emphasised the importance of ensuring that public funds, especially federal allocations, are judiciously spent on infrastructural development across wards, communities, towns and villages.
He stressed that such efforts would lead to socio-economic growth within the local councils. “This monthly account is mandatory, legal, and constitution-backed.
“How are the councils deploying the money to benefit the people in providing the necessary infrastructural facilities for each community must be their focus,”Chief Oke stated.
Speaking further on local government autonomy, he charged the newly elected council bosses to avoid political interference, noting that they are now empowered to manage their resources and projects independently.
“The monthly federal allocation should be spent on the people, for the people, ensuring visible physical development and well-being,” Oke said.
Chief Oke also praised the peaceful conduct of the elections, expressing gratitude to God for a violence-free process.
He reminded the newly elected leaders that their performance in office would shape their future political careers, urging them to resist any form of intimidation or control from political godfathers. “The fate of these leaders is now in their own hands,” he concluded.