Kosofe Local Government’s Leader in Council, Hon. Femi Oyesile, is facing growing public scrutiny following his comments on the proposed ₦100 million empowerment initiative recently announced by the council’s executive arm.
Oyesile, a former Deputy Leader in Council widely regarded as experienced in legislative procedures, had explained that the executive did not require legislative approval to implement such programmes. His remarks, reported earlier by KosofePost, immediately triggered reactions across the Kosofe political landscape.
One of the earliest critics, Engr. Olusola Emmanuel Adedayo, MIAENG, Publisher and CEO of MoschinoBlog, strongly disagreed, insisting that all public funds must pass through legislative appropriation.
“I disagree with Oyesile 100%. All the money from the coffers of the council must be appropriated for. He is trivializing the issue as if the money is coming from the pocket of the chairman,” Adedayo said.
“He doesn’t seem to know his job well. The former leader of the house is also wrong for refusing to comment. He can still be called upon during the 2025 budget defence.”
Similarly, Comrade Olayiwola Sulyman, popularly known as Opomulero, condemned Oyesile’s interpretation, calling it a “criminal-minded response” that weakens legislative oversight.
“How can the leader of the watchdog say the chairman can spend at will? It is either these people are accessories after or before the fact,” Opomulero queried.
“The chairman is the accounting officer of the local government but cannot legally spend public funds without legislative approval. Doing so violates the Local Government Financial Regulations and the Public Finance (Control and Management) Act.”
He argued that both the Constitution and local government financial laws mandate that all expenditure must be backed by an approved budget, adding that only emergency spending may be allowed—subject to later ratification by the legislative council.
Opomulero also accused several councillors of acting as “political placeholders” rather than true representatives holding the executive accountable on behalf of citizens.
As the debate grows, governance observers say the controversy highlights deeper issues around transparency, oversight, and the administration of empowerment funds in Lagos State’s councils. Many residents are now calling for clearer guidelines and public disclosure on how such large-scale initiatives are funded and managed.