Speaker of the federal House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen has listed the woes being faced by local governments in Nigeria, including the erosion of democracy, lack of autonomy, inadequate funding and corruption.
Speaking today, December 2, at the National Dialogue on local government and Constitutional amendment in Abuja, Abbas Tajudeen said that one of the most pressing issues has been the poor quality of elections into local government councils across the country.
“This situation not only undermines the very essence of democracy but also raises serious concerns about the integrity and functionality of our local governance structures. When elections are characterized by a lack of competitiveness—wherein the ruling party sweeps all positions—it becomes evident that we are witnessing a mockery of democratic principles.
“This scenario is not merely an embarrassment; it poses a significant threat to our democracy. It fosters an environment where undesirable elements infiltrate these councils, often lacking the necessary capacity and vision to govern effectively.
“Consequently, local governments become mere appendages of state governments or pawns in the hands of so-called godfathers who manipulate political outcomes for their own gain.”
The Speaker stressed that local governments are supposed to be the closest tier of government to the people, playing an essential role in delivering services, fostering community development, and ensuring that citizens’ voices are heard at all levels of governance, and that they that they need to operate with a degree of autonomy that allows them to respond promptly and appropriately to the unique needs of their communities.
“Sadly, in spite of the noble intentions of the drafters of our constitution in instituting the local government system, it is evident that there are significant challenges that hinder their effectiveness. Issues such as inadequate funding, lack of autonomy, insufficient capacity, usurpation of its functions by other levels of government, corruption, and many more, have plagued local governments for decades.
“These challenges not only stifle local governance but also impede national development. The need for reform has never been more urgent.
He emphasized that inadequate funding remains one of the most significant obstacles, saying that they often operate on budgets that are insufficient to meet their responsibilities. “This financial constraint limits their ability to deliver essential services such as education, healthcare, infrastructure development, and sanitation.
“As a result, many communities continue to suffer from poor living conditions and lack access to basic amenities.
He said that lack of autonomy is another critical issue facing local governments in Nigeria, adding that the current structure often places local administrations under the control of state governments, which can lead to interference in their operations and decision-making processes.
“This lack of independence stifles innovation and accountability at the local level.
“Additionally, insufficient capacity—both in terms of human resources and institutional frameworks—has hindered effective governance at the local level. Many local government officials lack the necessary training and skills required for efficient administration. This gap not only affects service delivery but also erodes public trust in local governance.
Abbas Tajudeen acknowledged the recent efforts made by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in strengthening the local government system.
According to him, the recent Supreme Court judgment mandating the conduct of elections into the councils and direct disbursement of funds to them, has provided a significant legal framework that supports the autonomy and functionality of local governments across the country.
“This landmark decision is a testament to our collective commitment to uphold democratic principles at all levels of governance.
“However, while we celebrate these advancements, we must also acknowledge that the need for comprehensive reform has never been more urgent as some of the nagging issues still persist. Constitutional reforms are essential to address these challenges comprehensively.
“We must advocate for greater financial autonomy for local governments by ensuring that they receive adequate funding directly from federal allocations without excessive state control. Additionally, we should explore mechanisms that empower local governments with more decision-making authority over their affairs.
“Furthermore, investing in capacity building for local government officials is paramount. Training programs should be established to equip them with the skills needed for effective governance and service delivery.
“Importantly, we must confront the the disgraceful poor conduct elections into the councils. We must find a way of instilling transparency, fairness and openess in the conduct of elections into local governments.doing this would require the understanding and colloborative efforts of the State governors and Houses of Assembly. “We must find a way of convincing them that a strenghtened local government system would relieve the States of unnecessary burdens and lead to grassroots development.”
