Oladele lauds Tinubu on LG, tax reforms

President Bola Tinubu has been commended for his bold steps on issues of local government autonomy and reforms in the nation`s tax systems.

The Director-General, Tinubu-Shettima Ambassadors, Prince Oyelude Oladele said that the president’s decision to give local governments control over their finances is a critical and overdue change.

He noted that if the President was thinking only about the next election, he wouldn`t have attempted the reforms he is pursuing, adding that Tinubu was looking beyond his second term.

He described the intervention on local government autonomy as historic, though he highlighted what he considered as challenges that the government may face in implementing the policy.

Oladele commended President Tinubu for taking a courageous risk by championing local government financial autonomy, despite the political risks it carries.

“For years, local governments across Nigeria have struggled with financial constraints, and their autonomy has often been undermined by state governments, who control funds through joint accounts.

Past leaders have failed to do this, but President Tinubu’s leadership is showing that he is serious about empowering the grassroots.”

On imminent challenges in implementation, he decried that even though funds are being allocated to local governments, they don`t reach them directly.

“In Osun State, where I come from, local governments receive over N300 million a month, but this money is not going directly to the local governments. Instead, it goes through a joint account with state governors,” Oladele explained.

This system, he argued, “dilutes the intended impact of the autonomy and has led to inefficient use of funds, despite the substantial financial allocations.

Oladele also pointed to the lack of basic amenities in many local governments, despite the significant amounts of money they receive.

He described the federal government`s tax reforms as a critical step toward financial sustainability, comparing Tinubu’s courage in tackling taxation and the removal of subsidy on fuel against the reluctance of past administrations.

He emphasized that the removal of fuel subsidies has boosted allocations for federal, state, and local governments, pointing out that if these funds are used correctly at the grassroots level, they could contribute to improving security.

“Tinubu’s decisions demonstrate a long-term vision for the country, one that focuses on improving the fiscal health of Nigeria. Previous leaders were afraid to tackle these difficult reforms, but Tinubu has shown the political courage to address them head-on,” Oladele stated.