Osun APC to PDP: stop dreaming about changing governance

The  Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to stop dreaming about changing the structure of governance.

“The PDP is asking for what it cannot get and it is a pity it is doing so over and over again,” APC said.

The ruling party was reacting to PDP leaders’ call that Governor Rauf Aregbesola reconstitute the State Electoral Commission to conduct local government election.

Besides, the PDP canvassed absolute autonomy for the local government so the state will have no say in how a local government uses its funds.

But the APC described the demands as useless.

In a statement by the Director of its Directorate of Publicity, Research and Strategy, Kunle Oyatomi, the APC argued that Aregbesola made it clear long ago that there would be local government election before end of the year.

“Election is a process which should be well planned and efficiently executed,” APC said, adding: “The reconstitution of the local government management is the first step in that process.”

The party said the second step is setting up a new electoral body to handle the election.

“So, the PDP’s dream of having the election tomorrow or the next is childish,” APC said.

On the need for “absolute autonomy” for local governments, APC said this was fundamentally flawed and PDP is showing ignorance of how true federation works.

It said: “Nowhere in the world with a Federal constitution is a local council autonomous, not to talk of being absolutely autonomous.

“In Nigeria today, the local council with the fanciful name of local government, does not enjoy the status of a federating unit. Therefore, it cannot be ‘autonomous’.

“We sympathise with the ignorance of the PDP on this issue, which has been compounded by its desperation for power in the state.”

On the reconstitution of the management of the local government areas, APC submitted that the process was democratic because it was subjected to popular participation within the party.

It said: “This became necessary after the extensive rearrangement that expanded the councils to accommodate local council development areas (LCDAs).

“These are the people who will mobilise and sensitise the voters for the coming local government elections.

“Everything is being properly put together before an election. The PDP cannot, therefore, stampede the government into doing otherwise.

“So, all the noisemaking by the PDP is an exercise in futility. That party should look for something more constructive to do.”