Senate Moves to End Governors’ Influence on Local Government Affairs

The 10th Senate, under the leadership of Speaker Godswill Akpabio, is taking strides to curb the undue influence of state governors on local government affairs in Nigeria.

This move comes as a response to longstanding concerns about governors manipulating local government administrations for their interests.

In March 2022, the upper Chamber of the National Assembly passed a bill aimed at granting full financial and administrative autonomy to local government areas.

The bill sought to amend the constitution, abolishing the state joint local government account and establishing a special account for direct allocation to local government councils from the federation account.

The Senate’s action was prompted by the need to address issues where some governors, for personal gain, hindered the operations of the government closest to the people.

Despite Section 162 of the 1999 constitution stipulating the allocation of funds to the federal, state, and local governments, governors have often exercised control over local government finances.

President Muhammadu Buhari, on December 1, 2022, criticized state governors for mismanaging local government allocations, highlighting the need for reforms.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, speaking on the situation, exposed how governors exploited constitutional loopholes to prevent the direct allocation of funds to local governments.

He emphasized a “fundamental flaw in our legislation” regarding local government funding that requires fixing.

The Senate is now urging the federal government to stop statutory allocations to local government councils without democratically elected chairpersons.

This move seeks to block funds to local governments operating under caretaker committees, a practice identified in about 16 states.

National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) President, Comrade Akeem Ambali, described the current state of local government affairs as “pathetic” and emphasized the need for local government autonomy.

Ambali highlighted challenges in achieving autonomy due to resistance from some governors, calling for constitutional amendments to ensure direct funding from the federal government to local governments.

The Senate’s recent motion, led by Senator Abba Moro, insists that local government allocations to states without elected officials should be blocked.

The Senate declared this practice unconstitutional and detrimental to democratic principles.

As the Senate takes measures to end governors’ influence on local government affairs, discussions on constitutional amendments and direct funding mechanisms are gaining prominence, with the goal of ensuring effective and accountable local governance in Nigeria.