The proposal by the federal government to grant full autonomy to the local governments in Nigeria is a welcome development and long overdue. I commend the federal government whose Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi SAN, has approached the Supreme Court to pursue this landmark initiative. There is no doubt that our democratic journey has been very slow due to lack of autonomy for the third tier of government as practised in other democratic climes.
The office of the Attorney General of the Federation should, however, bear in mind the ambiguity in the 4th schedule and section 7 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which recognised local governments as the third tier of government but also in a contradictory manner gives some functions to State Government and Houses of Assembly with regards to Local Government Administration. This and other contradictory clauses need to be amended to reflect the complete financial and administrative autonomy as it’s been operated in other federal systems.
I commend the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for this bold step and urge him to go all out to break this jinx by removing the clog in the wheel of our development and progress. You can imagine the impact that will be created if 774 local governments are independent and free from the apron string of the state governments. Nigerians will immediately start enjoying the dividends of democracy directly across the country in all the 774 local government areas and also have a say in determining the political leadership at their local governments. The fact that every Nigerian lives in a local government area underscores the strategic importance of granting full autonomy to the local governments. The benefit of this initiative is huge and should be supported by all well-meaning Nigerians.
The important benefit of this initiative is that it will attract more quality personalities to take part in the running of local governments and reduce the emphasis on the state and federal governments thereby widening the space for political inclusiveness.
Dr Ade Dosunmu MON is a Public Policy Expert and Ex-Director General, NIMASA
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