Stakeholders have advised the Federal Government to exercise caution in enforcing local government financial autonomy, highlighting the importance of retaining Local Council Development Areas, LCDAs, for efficient administration.
The call follows the Supreme Court’s July 11 ruling, which affirms local government councils’ financial independence from state governors.
A News Agency of Nigeria survey conducted across Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti States gathered viewpoints from officials and community leaders, many of whom stress that LCDAs — though unrecognized by the 1999 Constitution — should receive funding alongside local governments to improve grassroots governance.
Dr. Taiwo Arobadi from Obafemi Awolowo University commended the autonomy ruling and urged compliance from state leaders, arguing that LCDAs should remain intact to serve as localized administrative units.
Osun’s Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Dosu Babatunde, announced that the state plans to hold local government elections in February 2025 and intends to distribute funds to LCDAs following the polls.
Similarly, in Ondo State, Alhaji Amidu Takuro, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, reiterated the state government’s commitment to upholding the Supreme Court’s decision. He highlighted that while the legal framework for local government autonomy is being refined, challenges have delayed local elections. However, he assured that preparations for the January elections were underway.
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Takuro also noted concerns regarding retirees’ pensions, suggesting that strict adherence to the Supreme Court ruling could adversely affect local government employees and pensioners. Mr. Japhet Oluwatoyin, Chairman of the state House of Assembly Committee on Local Government, echoed this sentiment, urging the federal government to extend the deadline for local government elections to accommodate states with unique circumstances, like Ondo.
Meanwhile, Mr. Bayo Omojola, Chairman of Ikole Local Government in Ekiti, warned that the financial implications of the autonomy could lead to employment losses in the LCDAs, as the constitutionally recognized local governments would now assume greater responsibilities.
Legal expert Mr. Olumide Adeniyi expressed concerns about state governors’ compliance with the Supreme Court’s ruling. He called on state Attorney Generals to ensure adherence to the judgment, emphasizing the need for financial independence for local governments, as mandated by the constitution. Adeniyi reiterated that any state official failing to comply with this ruling would face accountability for gross misconduct.
The stakeholders collectively emphasized the need for a carefully structured approach to ensure effective governance while safeguarding financial stability across Nigeria’s local councils.
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