As the Senate and House of Representatives embark on another review of the 1999 Constitution, Senators are united on the issue of local government autonomy but divided over the establishment of state police across Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
In May, the Senate declared that the 774 local governments in Nigeria are effectively non-functional, attributing this to state governors misappropriating allocated funds. They emphasized that the local government system’s goals have been undermined by successive administrations that eroded local autonomy, restricting financial resources and decision-making power.
Additionally, on July 11, the Supreme Court ruled that governors cannot retain or utilize funds meant for local government areas (LGAs), deeming such actions illegal and unconstitutional. This ruling likely influenced the Senate’s recent push for local government autonomy, alongside Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s commitment to amend the constitution to grant full independence to local governments.
During a two-day retreat in Kano, the Senate Committee on Constitution Review reached a consensus on including full autonomy for local governments in the constitutional amendments. However, opinions were divided regarding the creation of state police. Senators from the South-East and South-South regions advocated for the establishment of additional states.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele emphasized the need for local government autonomy, stating that the current constitution improperly places local governance under state control. He argued for the complete independence of local governments, highlighting that laws should serve people, not the other way around.
This discussion reflects the broader issues facing Nigeria’s governance and the urgent need for constitutional reforms to empower local authorities and address the realities of the current political landscape.