Osun Assembly Strengthens Local Government Autonomy with New Bills

In a strategic move to further enforce the recent Supreme court pronouncement , Osun State House of Assembly has advanced local government autonomy by passing two pivotal bills into law.

The Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Osun State Local Government Areas (Creation and Administration) (Amendment) Bill, 2024, align state legislation with the recent Supreme Court ruling supporting local government independence. These new laws empower the state electoral commission to oversee elections in the 30 local government areas and allow elected chairmen to appoint administrators for Local Council Development Areas and area councils.

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This change enhances the chairmen’s ability to manage and execute their responsibilities effectively. Olamide Tiamiyu, Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, highlighted that the appointed administrators will collaborate with the chairmen, improving decision-making processes. The bills represent a significant step in reinforcing local government autonomy in Osun State, in accordance with the Supreme Court’s decision for increased financial and administrative independence. The legislation is now set to be presented to the governor for assent.