Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr. Tajudeen Abbas, has reaffirmed the 10th Assembly’s commitment to securing local government autonomy in Nigeria. Dr. Abbas, represented by the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Benjamin Kalu, made the statement during a National Dialogue on Local Government Autonomy held in Abuja.
The dialogue, organized by the House of Representatives Committee on Constitutional Review, led by Mr. Kalu, sought to foster robust discussions and explore ideas to push the agenda for local government autonomy forward.
Despite decades of agitation for this cause, local governments across Nigeria remain largely under the control of state governments, stalling the desired socio-economic development at the grassroots level.
“Achieving local government autonomy has been a long-standing objective of this Assembly, and we are working diligently with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that this goal is realized,” said Dr. Abbas in a statement read by his deputy.
He emphasized the importance of granting local governments more power and independence to enable them to function effectively and meet the needs of their communities.
For over twenty years, there have been consistent calls for constitutional amendments to give local governments the independence to manage their affairs without undue interference from state governments.
However, the push for autonomy has faced significant challenges, and despite several attempts, the goal has yet to be fully achieved.
At the event, notable figures expressed their support for local government autonomy but also highlighted potential pitfalls.
Former Edo State governor and current Senator for Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, acknowledged the importance of autonomy for local governments but cautioned that there could be risks of misuse once autonomy is granted.
He stressed the need for careful planning to avoid potential abuses and to ensure that local governments are accountable to the people they serve.
The Emir of Lafia, Retired Justice Sidi Bage, also weighed in on the conversation, attributing some of the challenges faced by local governments to the exclusion of traditional institutions from local governance. According to him, the integration of traditional leadership into local government administration could help restore effectiveness and promote stability at the grassroots level.
Other speakers at the dialogue, including scholars, policy analysts, and civil society representatives, pointed out that the lack of local government autonomy has often led to elections that fail to reflect the true wishes of the people.
This, they argued, undermines the democratic process and hampers the development of communities. Without the power to make independent decisions, local governments remain ineffective, unable to address the pressing needs of the population.
The National Dialogue, which brought together lawmakers, experts, and various stakeholders, underscored a growing consensus that local governments need to be empowered in order to contribute meaningfully to the country’s socio-economic development.
The discussions are seen as a significant step toward refining strategies for achieving local government autonomy and ensuring that it is implemented effectively.
