Kehinde Fajobi
Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North, has voiced strong support for financial autonomy for local governments in Nigeria.
Speaking on Monday at a forum on local government autonomy organised by the House of Representatives, Oshiomhole described the Supreme Court’s July 11, 2024, ruling affirming local government financial independence as a landmark decision.
The former Edo State governor stressed the importance of character, governance, and accountability, urging local government chairmen to utilise resources for infrastructure such as roads and hospitals to benefit their communities.
Oshiomhole highlighted the unique responsibilities of local government officials due to their proximity to the people.
He said, “It’s better to have 774 local government chairmen who are thieves than one big thief,” quipping that such a system would ensure every local government produces one or two billionaires, rather than concentrating wealth in a single state-level billionaire.
His comments come amid renewed discussions on the role and accountability of local governments in Nigeria’s federal structure.