The circus show by Oyo LG chairpersons

Just when you think you have seen the depths of political gamesmanship in Nigeria, the local government chairmen of Oyo state managed to plumb new depths of absurdity.

Their recent decision to unanimously declare their “unalloyed support” for Governor Seyi Makinde, while simultaneously abandoning the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), is a spectacle so brazen that it seems almost satirical.

One can almost picture the scene: the 33 council chairmen, gathered in a hushed conference room, solemnly nodding along as they sign their names to a communique that makes a mockery of the very concept of local government autonomy.

It’s a performance worthy of the grandest circus ring, complete with an overabundance of contortions, clowning, and sycophancy.

The ostensible reason for this circus act? The recent supreme court ruling granting financial autonomy to local governments across Nigeria. One would think that the chairmen, as the ostensible representatives of their communities, would welcome this landmark decision with open arms.

After all, it represents a hard-won victory for grassroots democracy, a chance to finally free local governments from the overbearing grip of state governors. Can someone please tell these clowns in Oyo that they cannot just wake up and ridicule the supreme court because they lack courage?

That’s the reason for the underdevelopment in the country: most state institutions are virtually dead. The state assemblies are errand boys for the governors, and the state electoral commissions exist in name only. Local government elections in states are a big joke, as the ruling party in the state wins all the local government seats.

Now for the local government to function, the supreme court ruled that they should get their allocations directly. This has been hailed as one of the best decisions in recent times. This will enable grassroots development and democracy. More qualified people will be interested in contesting local government elections.

But the Oyo state local government chairmen took sycophancy to another level with their new circus show. Sycophancy is the reason why institutions are dead in states. The governors have all the institutions in their pockets.

The Oyo LG chairmen have chosen to throw their weight behind the governor, the very man whose power and influence the supreme court ruling seeks to curtail. In their communique, they go so far as to attribute their “unequivocal loyalty” to the governor, citing his “exemplary leadership and unrivalled achievements”.

One can almost hear the sound of the ringmaster’s whip cracking in the background.

The sheer chutzpah of this move is truly breathtaking. These chairmen, who are ostensibly meant to be the stewards of their local government areas, have effectively kowtowed to the very force that the supreme court has deemed to be in need of reining in.

It’s as if they’ve decided that the best way to serve their constituents is to become Makinde’s personal court jesters, dancing to the tune of his whims and fancies.

But let’s not be so quick to dismiss this as mere political theatre. There are deeper, more insidious implications at play here. By aligning themselves so firmly with the governor, the Oyo LG chairmen are signalling their willingness to undermine the very foundations of local government autonomy.

And make no mistake, this is not an isolated incident. It is, rather, a symptom of a much deeper malaise that has plagued Nigeria’s political landscape for far too long.

The blatant disregard for the rule of law, the subversion of democratic institutions, and the cult of personality that surrounds many of our political leaders—these are the hallmarks of a system that has prioritised the interests of the few over the needs of the many.

The Oyo LG chairmen’s circus act is a reminder of the work that still needs to be done to truly safeguard the integrity of our democratic processes.

It is a call to action for all Nigerians who believe in the power of grassroots governance, and who understand that true development and progress can only come from empowering the people at the most fundamental level.

But where do we even begin? How do we break the cycle of sycophancy and political opportunism that has become so entrenched in our society? The answer, I believe, lies in a renewed commitment to civic engagement and political accountability.

We must demand more from our leaders, holding them to the highest standards of transparency and integrity. We must resist the temptation to be cowed by the trappings of power and instead raise our voices in defence of the democratic ideals that we hold dear.

And we must support and empower those who are willing to put the interests of the people above their own personal ambitions. Only then can we hope to see the kind of meaningful, lasting change that will truly transform our local communities and, by extension, our beloved nation.

The Oyo LG chairmen may have chosen to don the clown’s cap and bells, but the rest of us must remain steadfast in our pursuit of a more just, equitable, and responsive system of governance.

It will not be an easy road, to be sure. The forces of entrenched power and vested interests will not relinquish their grip without a fight.

But if we can channel the same spirit of determination and resilience that has carried Nigerians through so many trials and tribulations, then I have no doubt that we can emerge victorious.

So let us not be distracted by the circus show unfolding in Oyo. Instead, let us remain focused on the larger battle for the soul of our nation, for the realization of the democratic ideals that we have long fought for.