The recent Supreme Court promulgation on local government autonomy in Nigeria is a significant milestone, especially under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 18-month-old administration.
This move aims to address the long-standing issue of state governors usurping local government rights, responsibilities, and resources, rendering them ineffective in delivering democracy dividends to grassroots citizens.
Nigeria’s history of democracy has been fragile and fluctuating since independence. Successive governments have struggled to create a sense of national unity, and the military has played a significant role in shaping the country’s political landscape.
The legacy of military rule has contributed to the entrenched corrupt political class, dwindling electoral participation, and weak democratic institutions.
Additionally, local governance in Nigeria began to decline after the Yar’Adua presidency, when governors hijacked the structure, appointing cronies as caretaker chairmen instead of conducting free and fair elections.
This has led to increased poverty, social inequality, and insecurity. Governors have become more powerful, controlling political structures to negotiate with presidential candidates and making demands in connivance with legislators, without benefiting the people.
President Tinubu’s efforts to grant local governments autonomy using the law and constitution is commendable. However, the Supreme Court’s mandate for governors to conduct local government elections has sparked turbulence.
While the road to true autonomy is long and challenging, this development marks a crucial step towards empowering local governments and ensuring the rule of law prevails over the rule of might.
However, the true test of local government autonomy lies in the implementation of the apex court’s mandate.
The question remains: Have local governments truly become autonomous in Nigeria?
Will governors comply with the Supreme Court’s mandate, or will they find ways to maintain control?
Can local governments now truly fulfill their constitutional mandate without state interference?
Will the people finally reap the benefits of effective local governance, or will the status quo persist?
These questions beg for answers as we see the ongoing power wrestling between political gladiators who watch non-state actors destroy state assets while they shamelessly point accusing fingers at each other, and watch the security agencies constitutionally charged with the responsibility of protecting lives and properties fold their arms while such violence and criminality takes centre stage and the lives the properties that ought to be protected are destroyed without giving a hoot.
The fact that ruling parties swept the local government elections in many states raises concerns about the existence of democracy in Nigeria. With 19 registered political parties, it’s alarming that the ruling party dominated the elections without significant opposition.
This phenomenon questions the legitimacy of Nigeria’s democracy, suggesting that “the rule of might prevails over the rule of law”.
Challenges Facing Local Government Autonomy
– State Governors’ Influence: Governors have historically hijacked local government structures, appointing cronies as caretaker chairmen instead of conducting free and fair elections.
– Lack of Transparency: Opaque decision-making processes and inadequate funding have hindered local government effectiveness.
– Insecurity and Social Vices: The consequences of weak local governance have led to increased poverty, social inequality, and insecurity.
The Way Forward
– Strengthening Democratic Institutions: Nigeria needs robust democratic institutions to ensure the rule of law prevails.
– Promoting Transparency and Accountability: Local governments must prioritize transparency and accountability to regain citizens’ trust.
– Empowering Citizens: Citizens must be educated and empowered to participate in the democratic process, ensuring their voices are heard.
In conclusion, Nigeria’s democracy can only thrive if it enjoys the support of the people.
The political class must recognize that true power lies with the citizens, not with those who wield political might.
The people must also learn to unite themselves and seek for ways to promote and sustain their interests by electing leaders that are credible with traceable records of patriotism, discipline and commitment to obeying the rule of law rather than exerting the rule of might in our democratic governance.
Olugbenga George is a Journalist, Communications Expert and Social Justice advocate.