Former President Olusegun Obasanjo told the National Union of Local Government Emplpoyers on Wednesday that he lacks the power to grant their demand – the restoration of the local government structure.
Ibrahim Khaleel led the leadership of the NULGE to Obasanjo’s Hilltop Mansion in Abeokuta, Ogun state, to seek his help in giving the local governments more power and make them more effective.
But Obasanjo said his ‘crippled’ self can’t do much – can only make noise – about their plight while he however, elected to blame state governors for the state of local governments.
“There is no exception to this bastardisation and encroachment by states. Even though both are supposed to be separate tiers of government, with each having its roles and functions, that is not the case anymore.”
“I wish I could help, but I am helpless. As it is, I can only help you to shout and talk to the world. I do not have any executive or legislative power. I am crippled.”
“But we shall continue to talk until those who are reasonable among them change this attitude.”
“I begin to wonder if they (states) can allow what they are doing to the local governments to be done to them.”
