Cold facts from the Presidential Media Centre confirm yesterday that Baàmẹ́kọ́ of Ibadanland and 2027 Oyo State gubernatorial aspirant, Saheed Oladele, has aligned his vision for local government autonomy directly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s national agenda .
During a widely circulated video message, Oladele emphasized his commitment to transforming the grassroots levels of governance:
“Any governor who does not allow LG autonomy is an enemy of the people, President Tinubu deserves accolades for making it possible.”
This statement underscores a pivotal promise from the PDP—ensuring that LGAs in Oyo aren’t mere appendages of the state government but are empowered to:
Raise and manage their own revenues
Plan and execute projects independently
Hold town hall consultations with residents
Recruit staff transparently
Directly oversee primary education and healthcare
Speaking to YOUR VOICE PODCAST powered by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Media Centre, Oladele framed local government autonomy as a moral and constitutional imperative that could rejuvenate disenfranchised rural communities:
“Empowering grassroots governance is not optional—it’s our duty to citizens who struggle daily with lopsided infrastructure and patronage. When local councils work, people keep hope.”
He also praised President Tinubu’s ongoing “devolution roadmap,” placing himself firmly in sync with the federal administration’s vision of robust local institutions. Political analysts see this alignment as strategic—aiming to win trust from both policy elites and ordinary voters who seek genuine reforms on the ground.
Going forward, Oladele plans to:
1. Convene town hall meetings in every LGA to harvest citizens’ priorities
2. Develop a revenue autonomy model that lessens state budget dependence
3. Introduce procurement reforms to ensure transparency
4. Strengthen oversight bodies to curb political interference
His message resonates strongly among activists campaigning for the full implementation of the 1999 Constitution’s provisions on local government autonomy.
With campaign season on the horizon, Oladele’s arm of the debate may reignite pressure on state institutions. If he garners sufficient backing within the APC and consolidates influence among constituents, his pitch could recalibrate Oyo’s political landscape in the run-up to the 2027 election.