Governors’ Forum backs financial autonomy for local governments

The Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) on Tuesday backed the administrative and financial autonomy of local government areas in the country.

Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, made this known at the National Dialogue on Local Government and Constitution Amendment organised by the House Committee on the Review of the Constitution in collaboration with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) with support from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO).

He said that today, the majority of the states have duly elected local government councils in place, reflecting a strengthening commitment to democracy at the grassroots level.
Represented by the Director of Legal Services of the Forum, Chijioke Chukwu, he said the NGF recognises the Supreme Court’s ruling on local government autonomy as a landmark development with profound implications for governance.

He noted that autonomy presents an opportunity to deepen service delivery across critical sectors, particularly healthcare, education, and other social services.
He said, “By empowering local governments to manage resources effectively, we can collectively ensure that development reaches every Nigerian, no matter how remote their community may be.

“The Governors’ Forum remains resolute in its commitment to the effective implementation of local government autonomy. The Governors are keen to collaborate with stakeholders, including development partners, civil society, and other arms of government, to translate this autonomy into tangible improvements in the lives of our people.

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“It is our belief that a well-structured autonomy with a mutually aligned implementation framework would not only drive accountability and efficiency in resource management but also catalyze sustainable development goals at the sub-national level. Together, we can transform the local government system into a vibrant vehicle for economic growth, social development, and national integration.

“The Nigerian Governors’ Forum also reiterates its readiness to ensure that this transition to local government autonomy is impactful. Let us continue to work together in building a stronger, more inclusive Nigeria,” he said.

The Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, said the dialogue was not only to discuss a critical aspect of governance but also to reaffirm the collective commitment to advancing democratic principles and sustainable development at the grassroots level.

Kalu, who is the Chairman of the Committee on the Review of the Constitution, reiterated that as the closest tier of government to citizens, local governments are pivotal in ensuring the delivery of essential services, fostering inclusion, and enhancing democratic participation.

Represented by the House Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, he regretted that the current state of local government councils and areas in Nigeria leaves much to be desired.
He said issues of limited autonomy, constrained financial independence, and weakened administrative capacity have continued to hinder their effectiveness.

Kalu said, “The recent Supreme Court judgment reaffirming that local government councils and areas must be democratically elected and that their statutory allocations be paid directly to them marks a watershed moment in our nation’s governance journey.

“This ruling underscores the importance of ensuring that governance at all levels adheres to democratic principles and serves the people’s best interests. Yet, to fully realize the intent and impact of this landmark decision, we must confront the systemic issues that have long plagued local government administration.”

Executive Director of PLAC, Clement Nwankwo, said the national dialogue on local government reforms is crucial to improving the quality of democracy.

“Local governments are so very key to any country’s democracy because it’s government at the grassroots. Unfortunately, the local governments in Nigeria continue to suffer from the lack of development of their institutions and their ability to deliver on the expectations of development.

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“The House of Representatives Committee on the Constitutional Review taking on this issue as a major one and as one of its flagship considerations as it proceeds and embarks on the Constitutional Review is very important,” he said.

He expressed hope that the conversation would translate into the passage of landmark amendments to the constitution that would impact the quality of democracy positively.
Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures, Adebo Ogundoyin, said the issue of the independence and autonomy of local governments is at the heart of grassroots governance and development in Nigeria.

Ogundoyin, who is the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, was represented by the Speaker of the Jigawa House of Assembly, Haruna Aliyu.

“Local governments will be pivotal to delivering essential services, fostering community participation, and ensuring inclusive development. However, achieving this requires robust financial and administrative independence, as well as transparent, credible, and legitimate elections.

“The state legislatures play an indispensable role in the realization of these goals as constitutionally empowered bodies. We are the gatekeepers of democracy at the sub-national levels. It is our duty to enact laws that empower local governments, ensure accountability, and provide oversight that guarantees the proper utilization of resources for the benefit of our citizens,” he said.