By Dr Yusuf Aliu
In recent times, there has been a significant surge in calls for local government autonomy in Nigeria. Local government autonomy refers to the freedom of the 774 constitutionally recognised local government councils to exercise authority within the confines of the constitution.
This autonomy is essential for these councils to discharge their legally or constitutionally assigned responsibilities satisfactorily, without undue interference or restraint, particularly from state governors.
Currently, state governors not only determine who heads the council areas but also exert full control over the local government’s monthly federal allocations. The controversial issue of local government autonomy has captured the attention of President Bola Tinubu.
In May 2024, President Tinubu, expressing his support for these calls, ordered legal action against the 36 state governors over alleged misconduct in the administration of local government areas.
Following this directive, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), initiated a lawsuit at the Supreme Court against the governors, seeking full autonomy for local governments as the third tier of government.
The suit, marked SC/CV/343/2024, requests the Supreme Court to prohibit governors from unlawfully dissolving democratically elected local government councils, among others.
However, there is ambiguity in Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution, which recognizes local governments as the third tier of government but also assigns some functions to state governments and state Houses of Assembly regarding local government administration.
This ambiguity has fuelled the ongoing debate and resistance against granting full autonomy to local governments. Currently, 19 states are running local government councils with caretaker committees, a practice that violates the constitution of the country.
This situation undermines the effectiveness of the local government system.
Governors often avoid conducting elections for local government areas, preferring to handpick leaders to maintain control over the councils and their federal allocations.
This practice hinders democratic processes and prevents local governments from functioning independently and effectively. Despite the legal and constitutional complexities, the importance of local government autonomy cannot be overstated.
Full autonomy for local governments would lead to better governance by allowing more localised decision-making that reflects the immediate needs and priorities of the community.
It would also increase citizen participation, as local residents would have a more direct influence over their local government. Improved service delivery is another significant benefit, as local governments would be better equipped to address issues such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure development.
Ultimately, local government autonomy would accelerate development at the grassroots level, fostering economic growth and improving the quality of life for citizens. The debate on local government autonomy has seen mixed reactions from state governors.
The Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who is the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, has expressed his support for full autonomy for local government administration. Conversely, his Anambra State counterpart, Prof. Charles Soludo, has opposed the move.
*Strategic importance of LG autonomy
Every Nigerian resides within a local government area, underscoring the strategic importance of granting full autonomy to local governments. This fact highlights how integral local governance is to the daily lives of all citizens.
When local governments operate autonomously, they can address the specific needs of their communities more effectively. For instance, local authorities can tailor services and infrastructure projects to suit the unique demands of their constituents, resulting in more responsive and efficient governance.
Local governments are the closest tier of government to the people. They understand the local context better and can swiftly address issues such as waste management, local road maintenance, and community healthcare.
Full autonomy would empower these local entities to manage their resources more judiciously and prioritize projects that directly benefit their residents. This proximity to the people also enhances accountability, as local officials are more directly answerable to their communities.
Furthermore, local government autonomy promotes increased citizen participation. When residents see that their local government has the authority to make meaningful changes, they are more likely to engage in civic activities, attend council meetings, and participate in local elections.
This heightened engagement fosters a more vibrant and participatory democracy, where citizens feel empowered to contribute to their community’s development. However, the move towards local government autonomy is a critical step in enhancing governance, citizen engagement, and service delivery in Nigeria.
President Tinubu’s bold step in supporting this cause and initiating legal action against the governors is commendable. It is essential for him to continue this effort to break the long-standing jinx and remove the obstacles hindering Nigeria’s development and progress.
Local government autonomy is not just a constitutional matter but a pivotal issue for the future growth and democratic integrity of Nigeria.
*Yusuf Aliu, PhD, (CMGR, FCMI) writes in from France, via: draliu5th@gmail.com
