Structure, which presupposes a pattern in which things are positioned, has come to be an indispensable concept to humans in day-to-day linguistic dealings. Such can be sensed in varied spheres of life (religion, socio-economics, culture, sports, legal systems, and so on) where structure or framework is a precondition for their pertinence. Medical science acquaints us with the fact that a skeleton is the framework of the human body, without which recognizing the human species may be an uphill task. Nigeria's political skeleton in relation to the levels of government obtainable is one with the ratification of the constitution. Although the federal and state governments enjoy a considerable degree of autonomy in their existence, it is heart-bleeding that most local governments in the country have been deficient of that crucial trait. With the recent stride of the Senate legislative chamber towards local government councils in mind, suffice it to say that the sacrosanctity of this branch of government deserves reiteration and should be distanced from encroachment.

Nigeria's federal system of government is one wherein there are governmental subsets known as the tiers of government which are basically three in number, viz. federal, state, and local governments. Whilst the the first two governments are preoccupied with central and units administration, the typically last one is an elemental part of each of the units (or states) that facilitate overall governance therein. These various tiers of government exist in the first place due to the distinct roles they play respectively which cannot be overriden, unless the nation is poised to welcome shortage of synergy in her being. That is to say, the local government is as pivotal as other branches of government to nation-building. The Nigerian constitution, in the Fourth Schedule subsection 2(b), stipulates that "The functions of a local government council shall include participation of such council in the Government of the State as respects the following matters; the development of agriculture and other natural resources, other than exploitation of materials." But this truism has been mostly submerged by state governments personified in their governors. Using Imo State as a case study would be illuminating.

With an erstwhile presidential aspirant and widely acclaimed philanthropist in the state's saddle, it is easy to presume that the marginalization of the local government is non-existent therein. Reality affirms this is not the case. Since the inception of the present administration in the state in 2011, the LGCs have become somewhat defunct given the alarming rate it is subdued. It has almost become utterly dependent on the state government, thereby making it susceptible to the state as well as unable to fully fulfill its responsibility as government of the grassroot. Alongside the paltry allocations the 27 local governments in Imo State receive monthly (if it comes at all), sole administrators are appointed whose fate are premised on the whims and caprices of the occupant of government house. The reluctance to conduct elections in the Eastern Heartland, which would usher in chairmen and councillors that can hold their own without habitually kowtowing to the governor, has endured for the past 6 years. Without doubt, this political culture has been contributory to poor governance in the state where substandard basic infrastructures are predominant and workers' cum pensioners' monies that accrue to them are slashed with impunity. Such an aberration is not exclusive to Imo State, implying that a good number of other states in the country experience same. In the event of LGC elections eventually holding, the party in power in the state comprehensively wins but not in the absence of plausible allegations of electoral fraud. Stooges are birthed and the cycle of mediocre leadership continues.

Given the delicateness of this present time where agitations are widespread in the country and a fatal revolution seems imminent, the deliberate or inadvertent deemphasis of the autonomy of the third tier of government should be discontinued. This means allowing democracy to hold sway in local government councils. People therefrom should be provided the leeway to vote in persons of their choice (and not the governor's or any political bigwig's) in an ambience of fairness. Requisite monthly allocations that are due to them should be isolated from fraudulent mutilation of any sort. As the constitution underlines above, local governments in the nation should be viewed from a fresh standpoint of a viable governmental facet that abound with economic relevance which can increase a state's internally generated revenue (IGR). Thus, the relation between state and local governments should be collaborative rather than repressive. The Senate's recent commendable move to somewhat eliminate excuses for the effeteness of LGCs, by relocating election-conduction powers from the often compromised state electoral bodies to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), is a step full with a ray of hope.

However, the vitality of structure in any area of human endeavour cannot be overstressed and this resonates in Nigeria's governmental framework. In as much as the local government is the third and last tier of government, it would be an error in reasoning to suppose that it is peripheral and downplay its existence. Without mincing words, Imo State as well as most states herein (perhaps your state too) are instances of where the autonomy of LGCs are treated with indifference. Democratic values should be given unhindered access to such grassroot administrative systems. Commendably, the Nigerian Senate has kickstarted the reformative process which states' number one citizens and citizenry should--for the common good--key into.


Kaycee Naze
(Rational Pen)

cc:lalasticlala

Mynd44, Lalasticlala.

Lalasticlala, front page material.

CC: Lalasticlala

You wrote an excellent paper very academic. Anyway LG autonomy benefits won't be immediately apparent. They still need to grow their IGR. The state can start a relationship where the do grants for items.

Without doubt, this political culture has been contributory to poor governance in the state where substandard basic infrastructures are predominant and workers' cum pensioners' monies that accrue to them are slashed with impunity.

True they are handicapped and too dependent on federal government.

In the event of LGC elections eventually holding, the party in power in the state comprehensively wins but not in the absence of plausible allegations of electoral fraud. Stooges are birthed and the cycle of mediocre leadership continues

Even mere LG election cause so much strife.

Alongside the paltry allocations the 27 local governments in Imo State receive monthly (if it comes at all), sole administrators are appointed whose fate are premised on the whims and caprices of the occupant of government house.

Glad sole administration won't get allocations.

NA XO

I'm getting lazy, couldn't read past the first paragraph, but i just want to let you all know that...

It's LadyF again.

I pray

state government like osun is just doing local governments anyhow.
imagine no local government election in the last 7 years

LGA autonomy with ISEC conducting the elections remains an aberration

LGAs should be under states. And ought not to get direct allocation from the FG. Each state should create it's required number and LGAs and fund it

Nonsense, is that how its done in developed country, what concern federal with LGA election? What happen to state overseeing it affair with full autonomy?
As long as the idea bore down to sharing money, nutting will work, this is another step of adding more power to the redundant center, rubbish!

@OP has omitted a key aspect of his argument. Antecedents! How have the local governments performed so far, asides being employers non-performing staff

Kayceenaz:
Structure, which presupposes a pattern in which things are positioned, has come to be an indispensable concept to humans in day-to-day linguistic dealings. Such can be sensed in varied spheres of life (religion, socio-economics, culture, sports, legal systems, and so on) where structure or framework is a precondition for their pertinence. Medical science acquaints us with the fact that a skeleton is the framework of the human body, without which recognizing the human species may be an uphill task. Nigeria's political skeleton in relation to the levels of government obtainable is one with the ratification of the constitution. Although the federal and state governments enjoy

a considerable degree of autonomy in their existence, it is heart-bleeding that most local governments in the country have been deficient of that crucial trait. With the recent stride of the Senate legislative chamber towards local government councils in mind, suffice it to say that the sacrosanctity of this branch of government deserves reiteration and should be distanced from encroachment.

Nigeria's federal system of government is one wherein there are governmental subsets known as the tiers of government which are basically three in number, viz. federal, state, and local governments. Whilst the the first two governments are preoccupied with central and units administration, the typically last one is an elemental part of each of the units (or states) that facilitate overall governance therein. These various tiers of government exist in the first place due to the distinct roles they play respectively which cannot be overriden, unless the nation is poised to welcome shortage of synergy in her being. That is to say, the local government is as pivotal as other branches of government to nation-building. The Nigerian constitution, in the Fourth Schedule subsection 2(b), stipulates that "The functions of a local government council shall include participation of such council in the Government of the State as respects the following matters; the development of agriculture and other natural resources, other than exploitation of materials." But this truism has been mostly submerged by state governments personified in their governors. Using Imo State as a case study would be illuminating.

With an erstwhile presidential aspirant and widely acclaimed philanthropist in the state's saddle, it is easy to presume that the marginalization of the local government is non-existent therein. Reality affirms this is not the case. Since the inception of the present administration in the state in 2011, the LGCs have become somewhat defunct given the alarming rate it is subdued. It has almost become utterly dependent on the state government, thereby making it susceptible to the state as well as unable to fully fulfill its responsibility as government of the grassroot. Alongside the paltry allocations the 27 local governments in Imo State receive monthly (if it comes at all), sole administrators are appointed whose fate are premised on the whims and caprices of the occupant of government house. The reluctance to conduct elections in the Eastern Heartland, which would usher in chairmen and councillors that can hold their own without habitually kowtowing to the governor, has endured for the past 6 years. Without doubt, this political culture has been contributory to poor governance in the state where substandard basic infrastructures are predominant and workers' cum pensioners' monies that accrue to them are slashed with impunity. Such an aberration is not exclusive to Imo State, implying that a good number of other states in the country experience same. In the event of LGC elections eventually holding, the party in power in the state comprehensively wins but not in the absence of plausible allegations of electoral fraud. Stooges are birthed and the cycle of mediocre leadership continues.

Given the delicateness of this present time where agitations are widespread in the country and a fatal revolution seems imminent, the deliberate or inadvertent deemphasis of the autonomy of the third tier of government should be discontinued. This means allowing democracy to hold sway in local government councils. People therefrom should be provided the leeway to vote in persons of their choice (and not the governor's or any political bigwig's) in an ambience of fairness. Requisite monthly allocations that are due to them should be isolated from fraudulent mutilation of any sort. As the constitution underlines above, local governments in the nation should be viewed from a fresh standpoint of a viable governmental facet that abound with economic relevance which can increase a state's internally generated revenue (IGR). Thus, the relation between state and local governments should be collaborative rather than repressive. The Senate's recent commendable move to somewhat eliminate excuses for the effeteness of LGCs, by relocating election-conduction powers from the often compromised state electoral bodies to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), is a step full with a ray of hope.

However, the vitality of structure in any area of human endeavour cannot be overstressed and this resonates in Nigeria's governmental framework. In as much as the local government is the third and last tier of government, it would be an error in reasoning to suppose that it is peripheral and downplay its existence. Without mincing words, Imo State as well as most states herein (perhaps your state too) are instances of where the autonomy of LGCs are treated with indifference. Democratic values should be given unhindered access to such grassroot administrative systems. Commendably, the Nigerian Senate has kickstarted the reformative process which states' number one citizens and citizenry should--for the common good--key into.


Kaycee Naze
(Rational Pen)

.

LaEvilIMiss:
@OP has omitted a key aspect of his argument. Antecedents! How have the local governments performed so far, asides being employers non-performing staff

Your reservation is not clear. Try rephrasing it.

chybyke4ly:

Nice one, bro #OneNazeMan

At a time! Thanks.

3direct:
Nonsense, is that how its done in developed country, what concern federal with LGA election? What happen to state overseeing it affair with full autonomy?
As long as the idea bore down to sharing money, nutting will work, this is another step of adding more power to the redundant center, rubbish!

Properly examining the issue at hand requires us to be dispassionate; don't let your prejudices or emotions get completely in the way. You seem to forget that the political clime in Nigeria and "developed countries" differ due to their peculiarities. It does not necessarily follow that what works there would work here. In this case, most state governments in Nigeria have proved incapable of spearheading the democratic process in their respective local government councils, hence the anticipated intervention of the federal government to do the needful. The dangers of state governments continuing to, without limit, oversee LGCs were pointed out in the article. Re-reading it would set you on the path to clarity.

Integrityfarms:
LGA autonomy with ISEC conducting the elections remains an aberration

That is exactly why the federal government needs to wade into the matter and from recent events, there is hope.

aolawale025:
LGAs should be under states. And ought not to get direct allocation from the FG. Each state should create it's required number and LGAs and fund it

Going by your recommendation, the autonomy of LGCs which is being clamoured for would be jeopardized, because such LGCs are very likely to lack the independent resolve to promote the interests of the people--no matter whose ox is gored.

ladyF:
I'm getting lazy, couldn't read past the first paragraph, but i just want to let you all know that...

It's LadyF again.

Why not try again? The idea therein may just open the floodgate of those ideas you need to get that thing done.

gokay11:
state government like osun is just doing local governments anyhow.
imagine no local government election in the last 7 years

With the new development, that is about to change.

Kayceenaz:


Your reservation is not clear. Try rephrasing it.

Before you argue for a case such as this.. there has to be either a FACT-based justification e.g How have non-autonomous LGAs against both social and economic indices over a period (supported by actual performance measurements) or Needs & Necessity e.g What challenges present status quo has not addressed would be enhanced or improved upon by autonomous LGAs.

IMO state is the case in focus, is there a common trend across other LGAs and is it symptomatic or is it a root cause?

Yes these are valid points you are making but this information we already know (at least it is obvious to most) give us uncommon insight i.e what has caused the failure of non-autonomous LGAs vis-a-vis what and how autonomous LGAs will function 'sustainably' to address the issues

LaEvilIMiss:


Before you argue for a case such as this.. there has to be either a FACT-based justification e.g How have non-autonomous LGAs against both social and economic indices over a period (supported by actual performance measurements) or Needs & Necessity e.g What challenges present status quo has not addressed would be enhanced or improved upon by autonomous LGAs.

IMO state is the case in focus, is there a common trend across other LGAs and is it symptomatic or is it a root cause?

Yes these are valid points you are making but this information we already know (at least it is obvious to most) give us uncommon insight i.e what has caused the failure of non-autonomous LGAs vis-a-vis what and how autonomous LGAs will function 'sustainably' to address the issues

I believe I've considerably done that already in the article. Fundamentally, non-autonomous LGCs lack the sufficient room to brainstorm on the real needs of the people and implement resulting socio-economic policies without the intrusion of state governments in the persons of governors. Liberty is essential for democratic ideals to be brought to bear in any society, and in this case, LGCs. The lack of it has largely been responsible for LGCs' comatose condition.


For instance, Local government presence in Imo State was somewhat more felt between 1999 and 2007. I remember lucidly that an opposition party in the form of APGA led my local government (Owerri-North LGA) while PDP controlled the state government. A reasonable number of people-oriented projects were carried out like the purchase of a new transformer by the LGC after some months of power outage and renovation of derelict schools. LGCs' influence began to dwindle when the state government sought to utterly control them, and this is noticeable too in other states of the country. Therefore, I reckon that reinstatement of LGCs' autonomy would be crucial to bolstering the nation-building efforts of other tiers of government.

Local government creation and/or autonomy is one
of those political problem that's wrong in Nigeria context.

Let's states create their own local govt; not federal govt.
funding each states on the basis of local government numbers
per state.

How can you justify a state like Kano(of 1990) that was divided
into two and half states (kano, Jigawa) presently, to a state like
Lagos which remains at 22 local council on the federation revenue
formulae; how can anyone justify that.

It was just a politically flawed arrangements that's meant to
favour one area of the country over another; there's no equity
whatsoever in the present arrangement so long the local govt
numbers per state is used in sharing formula of the nation revenue.

Why should Bayelsa that contributes more in term on land degradation
earns less compared to Jigawa and Kano based on number of local govt

Blue3k:
You wrote an excellent paper very academic. Anyway LG autonomy benefits won't be immediately apparent. They still need to grow their IGR. The state can start a relationship where the do grants for items.



True they are handicapped and too dependent on federal government.



Even mere LG election cause so much strife.



Glad sole administration won't get allocations.

I just hope recent reforms would holistically address these lingering issues.

Kayceenaz:

I believe I've considerably done that already in the article. Fundamentally, non-autonomous LGCs lack the sufficient room to brainstorm on the real needs of the people and implement resulting socio-economic policies without the intrusion of state governments in the persons of governors. Liberty is essential for democratic ideals to be brought to bear in any society, and in this case, LGCs. The lack of it has largely been responsible for LGCs' comatose condition.


For instance, Local government presence in Imo State was somewhat more felt between 1999 and 2007. I remember lucidly that an opposition party in the form of APGA led my local government (Owerri-North LGA) while PDP controlled the state government. A reasonable number of people-oriented projects were carried out like the purchase of a new transformer by the LGC after some months of power outage and renovation of derelict schools. LGCs' influence began to dwindle when the state government sought to utterly control them, and this is noticeable too in other states of the country. Therefore, I reckon that reinstatement of LGCs' autonomy would be crucial to bolstering the nation-building efforts of other tiers of government.

No mind be just being fussy. I just closed a dissertation so I guess I am still looking for supporting facts and figures on which to anchor your preceding argument, say for instance number of projects carried out with impact assessment and status of completion and sustainability tabulated and percentages of positives against negatives, not that I don't agree with you but it is essential that after pointing it out, you say here are the numbers.. it can actually go far to help some group of public officials push for change when they have basis for comparison and if you do it nation-wide with infographics.. you see where I am headed.

The consciousness of today's politicians in Nigeria to free money in politics will make autonomy to LG a suicide mission on the LG they represents no doubt. Good governance and even the best governance can be accessed through LG Autonomy but Nigerian politicians are not reliable and lack the political sagacity and will to marshal the efficacy of this policy of autonomy to fruition. It will definitely be grossly abused and only increase more wild partying, excessive womanising, fuji and juju dancing among these blind politicians with no vision, car racing in the name of convoy, more bloodbath during elections and increase in agberos all over. OP it won't work and can't fly.

How do you guys discuss all these crap? Are you not tired of the way this country is? or are we all just dumb?
After all the academic, religious, and political enlightenment, we are still where we are...believing in this geographical space called Nigeria. it's a shame on me and you

gokay11:
state government like osun is just doing local governments anyhow.
imagine no local government election in the last 7 years

The same with Oyo State, no election for the last 6 years. The administrators a just stooges for the governors.

The governors are totally autocratic.