The Oyo State House of Assembly has commenced the 2027 Budget Defence exercise for the state’s 33 Local Government Areas, setting the stage for legislative scrutiny of council financial projections, expenditure priorities and development programmes ahead of the new fiscal year.
The exercise, which underscores the legislature’s commitment to strengthening accountability at the grassroots, is expected to ensure that local government resources are properly channelled towards projects and programmes that directly address the needs of residents.
Chairman of the House Committee on Local Government, Chieftaincy Matters and State Honours, Hon. Akintunde Olajide, urged council chairmen and their management teams not to interpret the exercise as a witch-hunt, but as a statutory responsibility aimed at strengthening governance and ensuring that the dividends of democracy reach the grassroots.
Olajide described the exercise as another milestone in the commitment of the 10th Assembly to fulfilling its constitutional and statutory obligations, explaining that the 2027 Local Government Budget Estimates would be subjected to legislative examination before the committee presents its report to the House.
The Leader of the House, Mr. Sanjo Onaolapo, said the exercise was designed to instil fiscal discipline, ensure compliance with relevant laws and promote transparency in the management of public finances across the 33 councils.
He emphasised that local government administrations must demonstrate accountability in their budgetary processes and ensure that public resources are deployed in accordance with established financial regulations.
The Assembly maintained that effective legislative scrutiny of local government budgets remains essential to responsible governance, improved service delivery and sustainable grassroots development.
