By VICTOR ALI
Local government councils were created across Nigeria to foster development and bring governance closer to the grassroots. The constitutionally recognised 774 local government councils across the country bear the significant responsibility of working tirelessly towards improving local areas and enhancing the welfare of people at that level.
Over the years, debates have arisen about the desirability or otherwise of local government administration in the country. Critics often allege that local government councils serve as conduits for state chief executives to siphon taxpayers’ money, with the system being seen as a hub of corruption.
From the contentious state and local government Joint Accounts to the frequent interference of state governors in local government affairs through the appointment of caretaker or interim committees to manage a supposedly democratic structure, the operations of local governments in Nigeria have faced intense scrutiny. This interference has been exacerbated by the establishment of state independent electoral commissions which have drawn widespread criticism for their activities and perceived lack of independence.
Despite these challenges, the clamour for local government autonomy has gained momentum, culminating in significant progress. The Supreme Court’s landmark judgment of June 17, 2024, granted autonomy to local governments, a development that was met with mixed reactions. Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to President Ahmed Bola Tinubu on Information, recently reaffirmed this position, stating unequivocally that local governments would begin to collect their allocations directly from the Federation Accounts Allocation by the end of January 2025.
Dare further urged Nigerians to scrutinise the finances of both local and state governments, noting that public attention had disproportionately focused on the Federal Government’s finances.
This call to action is timely and crucial. For far too long, leaders at all levels have squandered national resources on dubious projects. White elephant and abandoned projects litter the country, and corruption has become a pervasive norm in public life. The financial autonomy granted to local governments presents an opportunity to reverse this trend, but caution is necessary to avoid repeating past mistakes.
While financial independence has been widely welcomed, local government leaders must tread carefully. The temptation to engage in graft, recklessness and wasteful spending is significant. These tendencies were prevalent even before autonomy was granted; therefore, vigilance is required to prevent a recurrence.
As THE NIGERIA STANDARD editorial of January 15, 2025 (titled, ‘Misplaced priority of appointing too many LG aides’), rightly observed, the financial autonomy granted to local governments was intended to empower them to address the pressing needs of their communities. However, in some cases, it has instead enabled wasteful spending.
The editorial stated: “Financial independence should not translate into unchecked extravagance but rather serve as an opportunity to invest in projects that uplift grassroots communities. This includes developing infrastructure, expanding agricultural services, supporting small-scale industries and delivering social welfare services to vulnerable populations.”
The paper also emphasised that local government chairmen must urgently re-evaluate their priorities, directing resources towards fulfilling constitutional mandates such as improving health, education and infrastructure as well as promoting community and economic development. These are the true hallmarks of effective grassroots governance.
If the quest for development at the grassroots level was previously hindered by state governors, now is the time for local leaders to demonstrate their capabilities. Financial autonomy offers a platform for diligent, patriotic and selfless leaders to transform their communities and, potentially, ascend to higher responsibilities. The rewards for performance are clear, and this is an opportunity for committed leaders to make a lasting impact.