Local governments in Ogun State would enjoy autonomy as a new set of leaders emerge from Saturday’s local polls, says Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun.

Mr Abiodun, who spoke with journalists shortly after casting his vote at Ita-Osanyin Ward 3 in his Iperu hometown, said the commitment is to to enable residents to enjoy more dividends of democracy.

The governor said he would ensure the new  local government chairmen who would emerge from the just concluded election got autonomy to administer their council areas.

He said the achievement of the local government caretaker committee in the last 20 months showed that when given autonomy, council chairmen would do more at the grassroots.

According to him,  the caretaker committees ensured that their projects were well funded in line with the constitution.

“We will respect the autonomy of the local government in line with the yearnings of the governors’ forum.

“I believe that they are a tier of government that should be given a free hand to run their affairs.

“They are the closest administrative office to the grassroots, they are able to make that impact because they are much closer to the people than any organ of government,” he said.

Speaking on the election, Mr Abiodun adjudged the election free, fair and peaceful across the state.

He said that reports he got from the field indicated that there were no disruptions and voters were able to vote for candidates of their choice peacefully.

The governor commended the state electoral agency for the peaceful poll.

The elections, which was scheduled to end by 2:00 p.m.was extended to 3:00 .p.m.

The Ogun Independent Electoral Commission (OGISIEC) said the extension was to avoid disenfranchisement of most voters.

The election, however, witnessed low turnouts in some parts of the state. 

(NAN)