EGHEOMHANRE EYIEYIEN FOR SENATE 2015 (EDO CENTRAL SENATORIAL DISTRICT - ESANLAND)
LEGISLATIVE MUSINGS
ISSUE #1.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTONOMY
I have read some posts and comments on Facebook praising the ten APC Governors for rejecting autonomy for Local Governments (LGs) through a proposed amendment of the Nigerian Constitution. Some have argued that giving the statutory revenue allocation directly to LGs as eing proposed would undermine our federalism and impose a unitary system of government. This they say would give the Federal Government control over the LGs.
I disagree.
Local Governments actually already have constitutional autonomy. The problem is that State Governors have rendered most LGs ineffective at best and, in some cases, entirely redundant by illegally diverting funds due to them to other uses. Most Local Government Chairmen, even when the Governors allow elections at the LG level, are treated as mere political appointees of the Governor and stay in office at the pleasure of their State Governor. Our Governors have subverted the Nigerian Constitution which they swore oaths of office to uphold.
Local Governments should be protected from the undemocratic and despotic tendencies of our "Governors-General".
All Local Governments should open accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria and, after the monthly Federal Accounts Allocation Committee meetings, the Accountant-General of the Federation should simply advise the CBN to credit the LGs with the funds due to them. This will significantly shield Local Government Councils from being manipulated by their Governors; and, hopefully, enable them perform their constitutional duties to their people.
Esan di fure!
Nigeria di fure!!
LEGISLATIVE MUSINGS
ISSUE #1.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTONOMY
I have read some posts and comments on Facebook praising the ten APC Governors for rejecting autonomy for Local Governments (LGs) through a proposed amendment of the Nigerian Constitution. Some have argued that giving the statutory revenue allocation directly to LGs as eing proposed would undermine our federalism and impose a unitary system of government. This they say would give the Federal Government control over the LGs.
I disagree.
Local Governments actually already have constitutional autonomy. The problem is that State Governors have rendered most LGs ineffective at best and, in some cases, entirely redundant by illegally diverting funds due to them to other uses. Most Local Government Chairmen, even when the Governors allow elections at the LG level, are treated as mere political appointees of the Governor and stay in office at the pleasure of their State Governor. Our Governors have subverted the Nigerian Constitution which they swore oaths of office to uphold.
Local Governments should be protected from the undemocratic and despotic tendencies of our "Governors-General".
All Local Governments should open accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria and, after the monthly Federal Accounts Allocation Committee meetings, the Accountant-General of the Federation should simply advise the CBN to credit the LGs with the funds due to them. This will significantly shield Local Government Councils from being manipulated by their Governors; and, hopefully, enable them perform their constitutional duties to their people.
Esan di fure!
Nigeria di fure!!
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