Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North Senatorial District, has reaffirmed his strong support for financial autonomy of local governments in Nigeria. This stance follows the Supreme Court ruling on July 11, 2024, which upheld the financial independence of local governments.
Speaking at a forum on local government autonomy organized by the House of Representatives, the former Edo State Governor emphasized the vital role of local government administrations due to their proximity to the people. He urged local government chairmen to allocate funds prudently for critical infrastructure such as roads, hospitals, and other essential public services.
In a lighthearted remark, Oshiomhole said:
“It’s better to have 774 local government chairmen who are thieves than one big thief. At least, every local government will produce one or two billionaires rather than concentrating wealth in the hands of just one individual.”
Challenges Facing Local Governments
House Speaker Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, represented by Deputy Speaker Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, highlighted inadequate funding as one of the most pressing issues affecting local government autonomy. He noted that the financial constraints faced by local councils limit their ability to provide essential services such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure development.
“Local governments must operate with a degree of autonomy that allows them to respond promptly and appropriately to the unique needs of their communities. Sadly, challenges such as inadequate funding, lack of autonomy, and corruption have plagued local governments for decades,” Abbas stated.
Call for Accountability and Transparency
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu also underscored the importance of accountability and transparency in local government financial management. He highlighted provisions in the 1999 Constitution that entrust local governments with responsibilities such as primary healthcare, sanitation, and road construction.
Recounting his tenure as Governor of Abia State, Kalu said:
“During my tenure, we conducted free and fair local government elections, ensuring opposition parties won some councillor positions. Accountability was paramount—every expenditure above ₦500,000 was scrutinized to ensure funds were judiciously utilized.”
He also called for a clearer delineation of responsibilities between state and local governments, particularly in areas like the payment of primary school teachers’ salaries, which remains the duty of local councils.
Need for Reform
The discussions at the forum highlighted the urgent need for reforms to strengthen local government autonomy, ensure proper resource allocation, and improve service delivery to communities. Both lawmakers and stakeholders emphasized that local governments must be empowered to function effectively, with mechanisms in place to enhance oversight and reduce corruption.
