The 36 States House of Assembly in Nigeria has the opportunity to propel Nigeria’s democracy forward by signing the full financial and administrative autonomy of Local Government.
By Abayomi Odunowo.
The recent decision by the National Assembly to grant full financial and administrative autonomy to all 774 local council authorities across Nigeria is a significant milestone in the quest for true democracy and effective governance at the grassroots level. By amending section 124 of the nation’s constitution, the Assembly has taken a bold step towards empowering local governments and reducing the undue interference of state governments in their affairs.
One of the key provisions of the amended document is the creation of the Office of Auditor General of the Local Government, which will help ensure transparency and accountability in the management of local government finances. This move is crucial in tackling corruption at the grassroots level and ensuring that public funds are used for the benefit of the people.
Another important provision is the establishment of the State Local Government Service Commission, which will be responsible for overseeing the recruitment, training, and discipline of local government staff. This will help professionalize the local government workforce and ensure that qualified personnel are in place to deliver essential services to the people.
The amendment also eliminates the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) and vests the powers to conduct council elections in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). This move is aimed at ensuring free and fair elections at the local government level, and preventing the manipulation of the electoral process by state governments.
However, while the National Assembly has taken a bold step in granting autonomy to local governments, the onus is now on the State Houses of Assembly to ratify the amendments and ensure their implementation. It is crucial that all 36 states in Nigeria sign off on the autonomy approved by the National Assembly by the third quarter of 2024, in order to ensure that local governments are truly empowered to govern effectively.
Furthermore, the National Assembly’s decision to amend sections 65 and 106 of the constitution to allow for Independent Candidacy in future elections is a welcome development. This move will open up the political space and allow individuals who may not have the backing of political parties to contest elections and bring fresh ideas and perspectives to governance.
The granting of full financial and administrative autonomy to local councils across Nigeria is a positive step towards deepening democracy and strengthening governance at the grassroots level. The National Assembly has shown leadership and vision in amending the constitution to empower local governments, and it is now up to the State Houses of Assembly to follow suit and ensure the effective implementation of these amendments
