The Senate criticized state governors for misappropriating funds allocated to local government councils in Nigeria, declaring that this level of government is effectively nonfunctional in the country.
They pointed out that the goals of the local government system have faced significant challenges, with successive administrations undermining local autonomy and restricting their financial resources and decision-making power.
As a result, the Senate urged the federal government to cease funding local government areas (LGAs) led by caretaker committees and called on President Bola Tinubu to advocate for full autonomy for local governments.
These resolutions followed a motion by Senator Suleiman Kawu of NNPP, representing Kano South. Senator Kawu highlighted that local governments, intended to bring development closer to the people, have faced significant obstacles.
Established in 1976 to decentralize power and empower communities, these entities were designed to manage critical community services such as primary education, healthcare, sanitation, local infrastructure, and security, embodying grassroots democracy. However, the vision has been marred by persistent frustration.
Senator Kawu noted that President Tinubu, as Governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007, showed strong support for local government autonomy by creating 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) within LGAs and implementing reforms to strengthen them.
Similarly, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, as Governor of Akwa Ibom State from 2007 to 2015, launched initiatives to improve local service delivery, such as infrastructure rehabilitation, investments in healthcare and education, and poverty alleviation programs.
Akpabio also mandated that 10% of the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) be allocated to LGAs, resulting in significant achievements.
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, APC, Abia North, and a former governor of Abia State, lamented the current state of local governments, reminiscing about a time when councillors could award small contracts.
He stressed the need for local government funds to be fully returned to the councils and called for enhanced capacity for council administrators.
Senator Ahmad Lawan, APC, Yobe North, emphasized the importance of making local governments effective and constitutionally guaranteed, advocating for capacity building for local government administrators and the devolution of powers.
Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, APC, Anambra South, highlighted the need to amend Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution to ensure better governance at the state level, noting that Anambra State has not held local government elections in 18 years.
Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, who presided over the session, affirmed that local governments are virtually nonexistent in Nigeria due to the misappropriation of funds by governors.
He noted that governors often force local government chairmen to sign off on checks, leaving them with minimal operational funds, though he acknowledged that some governors manage the funds appropriately.
