The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas has said state governors must free local governments, by granting them full autonomy to perform their constitutional roles.
The speaker pointed out that the significant challenges impeding the ability of local governments to fulfil their constitutionally assigned roles include the covert usurpation of local government functions by state governments.
He said lack of financial autonomy due to the State Joint Local Government Account, has created political instability from tenure irregularities, and pervasive corruption.
The speaker stated this on Monday in his opening remarks at the National Dialogue on good governance at the local government level and the intersection with security and national growth and development.
The Speaker, who was represented by the House Leader, Hon. Julius Ihomvbere further said a critical component of the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda is the integration of local governments into the mainstream of governance in Nigeria.
“In a significant move, the Federal Government recently instituted legal action against the governors of the 36 states at the Supreme Court, addressing alleged misconduct in the administration of Local Government Areas (LGAs).
“This suit, filed by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, seeks full autonomy for all LGAs in accordance with the 1999 Constitution, which mandates a democratically elected local government system.”
“This action underscores the President’s profound commitment to this issue, one he is intimately familiar with from his tenure as Governor of Lagos State.”
He stressed that, “Local problems require immediate decisions at the palace where they occur and where the problem is most deeply felt.
“Therefore, the essence of local government is to ensure local solutions to local problems using local resources, based on the same logic, the 1999 constitution considers local governments as the basis of grassroots development and governance.
“Section 7(3) of the Constitution provides that it is the duty of the local government council to participate in economic planning and development of the area under its jurisdiction. This position is also reiterated in paragraph (1) (a) of the Fourth Schedule to the Constitution.”he said.
The Speaker Laments that despite the extensive provisions of the 1999 Constitution regarding the existence and functions of local governments, the tier of has failed to live up to its billing.
He said, “Currently, more than half of the 768 local governments operate under caretaker committees, violating constitutional mandates for democratic management.”
“Since the return to democratic rule in 1999, the National Assembly has consistently championed the cause of local government autonomy.”
“One of the earliest efforts was the introduction of the Local Government Reform Act, which sought to clarify the roles and responsibilities of local governments and ensure their independence.”
“This was followed by various constitutional amendments aimed at strengthening the financial and administrative autonomy of local governments.”
“Despite facing numerous challenges and opposition, especially from some state governments, the National Assembly has remained steadfast in its commitment.
“A landmark achievement in this regard was the passage of the Fourth Alteration Bill, which, among other things, proposed amendments to the 1999 Constitution to grant financial independence to local governments.
“This Bill mandated the direct allocation of funds from the Federation Account to local governments, bypassing state governments.
“Although this Bill faced hurdles in gaining the required concurrence from the state Houses of Assembly, it marked a significant step forward in the quest for local government autonomy. During the Fifth Alteration in the 9th Assembly, the Bill failed to meet the required two-thirds as most States voted against it.”
“We in the 10th National Assembly are determined and committed to ensuring local governments are recognised and sufficiently empowered to perform their constitutionally assigned roles.”
Speaker Abbas therefore called on all Governors to put Nigeria first and collectively support the President in the quest to grant full autonomy to local governments.
He said, “It is imperative that all stakeholders, especially the governors, commit to this cause with unwavering determination. Let me reassure you that the outcomes of this national dialogue will receive the full attention of the House and its Committee on Constitutional Amendment.
“We must definitively resolve the controversy surrounding the status of Local Governments by providing the framework needed to ensure their optimal operation.” Abbas said.