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A professor of Law at the Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Thaddeus Fabamise, has said for local government autonomy to be beneficial to the people at the grassroots, a system must be put in place to ensure accountability by LG managers.
Fabamise noted that while the recent Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to LGs has been commended, “those responsible for the implementation must carefully weigh the potential benefits and challenges to ensure effective governance.”
The don spoke on Sunday at the first Otunba Ayan Kolawole Memorial Lecture, titled, ‘Supreme Court’s Decision on ‘Local Government Autonomy: Implication and Way Forward.’
The PUNCH reports that following a lawsuit by the Federal Government against the 36 state governments, the Supreme Court recently pronounced that LGs must operate their finances independently of the state government.
The apex court ruled that funds standing to the credit of the 774 LGs in the country must be paid to them directly rather than through the state government.
The apex court also stopped the practice of governors appointing caretaker committees to run LGs, stating that LGs must be run by elected officials.
Speaking on Sunday, Fabamise noted that the judgment of the Supreme Court had generated varied reactions, noting, however, that for it to be beneficial, a system of accountability must be put in place.
“The judgment, significant in promoting good governance, will invigorate local governments, bringing development to the grassroots, and ensuring accountability to the electorate. However, while the Supreme Court has rendered its decision, some argue that it is legally flawed.
“The crux of the problem addressed by the judgment is the rampant mismanagement of funds within local governments. If local governments have unrestricted access to substantial funds, there is a risk of misappropriation. The state governors currently supervise spending, and with this judgment, those responsible for implementation must carefully weigh the potential benefits and challenges to ensure effective governance.”
Also speaking, the Attorney-General of Ekiti State, Mr Dayo Apata, explained that some states had created Local Council Development Areas to bring governance closer to the people, but the constitution had not yet recognised these entities.
“Some states in Nigeria have brought governance closer to the grassroots by creating Local Council Development Areas. This approach ensures that governance is more accessible to the people and better aligned with local practices. However, while there is nothing inherently wrong with this initiative, the constitution has not yet recognised LCDAs. “
Another speaker from the United Kingdom, Mr Ademola Fasubaa, shared insights on local government perspectives in the UK and USA, offering a view from the diaspora.
He noted that while the government often claimed to act in the interest of the masses, local governments remained a critical point of focus.
“In Nigeria, there is an ongoing struggle between the parliamentary and presidential systems of governance. Local governments should serve as the primary point of contact for citizens, but there is an overreliance on the Federal Government for revenue. This centralised approach has hindered local governance.”
Fasubaa emphasised the need to educate the public, making them aware of what the government is doing.
“The LG system must be empowered and supported to ensure it can fully serve its role in governance.”
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