Payoff is violation of anti-corruption war — ALGON

Association of Local government of Nigeria (ALGON), Oyo State has condemned the suggestion by Governor Seyi Makinde to pay them off, describing the idea as antithetical to the war against corruption.

A letter was written to the counsel for the state government, Mr Akin Onigbinde by ALGON through its lawyer, Kunle Sobaloju, said the suggestion was a disservice to the people of the local government and Oyo State to collect financial compensation in lieu of their constitutionally guaranteed tenure.

The association also expressed appreciation to the government for recognising and acknowledging their mandate as the democratically elected officials of the 33 local councils and 35 local development areas respectively by offering to pay them their salaries.

However, Governor Seyi Makinde has vowed to follow through its court case against ALGON.

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This is as he refuted insinuations that the Oyo State government was frustrating the out-of-court settlement, noting that what was proposed by the Oyo State counsel was in accordance with the standard practice in negotiations and defensible in law.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Taiwo Adisa, Makinde fingered ALGON for acts tantamount to grandstanding on the local government matter.

The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to the statement credited to the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) on the state of the suit between that association and the government of Oyo State.

“The said statement by ALGON insinuated that its rejection of the peace terms by the counsel for Oyo State was based on the belief in the anti-corruption war.

“Let it be accordingly stated that the government of Oyo State is ready to pursue its case in court against ALGON.”