The Oyo State House of Assembly has commenced the 2027 budget defence exercise for the 33 local government areas in the state, ahead of the next fiscal year.
The exercise is aimed at examining the proposed expenditure plans of the councils and ensuring that their budgetary allocations reflect the development needs of communities at the grassroots.
Speaking at the opening session, Chairman of the House Committee on Local Government, Chieftaincy Matters and State Honours, Hon. Akintunde Olajide, urged council chairmen and their management teams to approach the exercise as a statutory responsibility rather than an attempt to intimidate them.
He explained that the legislative review was intended to strengthen accountability and ensure that local government resources translate into tangible benefits for residents.
Olajide described the exercise as part of the 10th Assembly’s commitment to carrying out its constitutional and statutory duties, noting that the proposed 2027 local government budgets would undergo legislative examination before reports are presented to the House.
He cited the Fourth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and Section 19(2) of the Oyo State Local Government Law 2001, as amended, as the legal framework guiding the Assembly’s oversight responsibilities.
The committee chairman also urged the council administrations to provide clear details of their proposed projects and financial allocations to enable lawmakers to assess their priorities and spending plans effectively.
In his goodwill message, the House Leader, Hon. Sanjo Onaolapo, who represents Ogbomoso South State Constituency, said the exercise would promote responsible financial management and ensure that local government activities comply with relevant laws.
He added that transparency and accountability were essential to the budget preparation and implementation process.
Also speaking at the closing session, the Clerk of the House, Barrister Taiwo Muraina-Akinola, represented by the Deputy Clerk, Legislative Matters, Research and Budget, Mrs Aderonke Ogundeji, said the exercise would allow lawmakers to thoroughly examine the councils’ financial proposals before the beginning of the new fiscal year.
The opening phase of the exercise featured presentations by three councils: Ogo-Oluwa, Afijio and Ibadan South-East Local Government Areas, whose delegations were led by their respective chairmen.
