The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Osun State, Dr. Ajibola Basiru, has explained the rationale behind the introduction of parliamentary system of government in the local government by Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s administration.
He said the decision was to reposition the local council for effective service delivery to the people at the grassroots.
Delivering a paper titled “Parliamentary System – An Overview of the Guidelines for Administration of the Local Government, in Osogbo, the state capital, Dr. Basiru said that Aregbesola’s administration has demonstrated commitment to the growth and development of the local government system in the state.
He said “the introduction of the parliamentary system of government is aimed at galvanizing the local government system in the state and reposition the councils for effective service delivery.
“It is therefore imperative to train the newly elected councillors and management staff of the councils on the nature and workings of the parliamentary system.
The Attorney General took time to explain the functions and responsibilities of the different arms and functionaries of government at the local level.
“In order to minimize the effects of the incipient strains and stresses associated with the introduction of a novel system, the State Government of Osun has developed a standard guideline for the administration of local government.
“Transfer of political power to local areas by involving the inhabitants in the provision of the basic needs in their respective community.
Also the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly Rt, Hon Najim Salami stated that Before the last election was conducted, some individuals picked bones with the government on the issue of parliamentary; even we have an individual who approached a court on the matter.
Though, circumstances surrounding the litigation suggested that it was designed to truncate the already scheduled Local Government election, to us at the state parliament the litigation and some decisions that accompanied it, is a welcome development, because it expands the jurisprudence.
What matters is, by and large, reason prevailed and democracy won.”
He stressed further that the highest ranking PDP office holder in the country in person of the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu has lent his voice in favour of the parliamentary system when he says, “ that the parliamentary system of government will engender more robust debates which always brings out the best in a democracy.”
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