By Stellamaries Amuwa, Abuja
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), a German nongovernmental organization, has stated that without credible and fair elections, local governance risks being reduced to a mere extension of centralized control rather than an independent entity capable of responding to grassroots needs.
The Resident Representative KAS, Nigeria Marija Peran at the Local Government autonomy in Nigeria organised by Konrad in collaboration with Civil Society Legislative Advocacy (CISLAC) added that the legal framework surrounding local government autonomy in Nigeria presents significant structural barriers that require urgent attention.
Peran who was represented by Program Manager, Samson Adeniran said the consequences are far-reaching – poor service delivery, inadequate infrastructure, and a disillusioned citizenry unable to hold leaders accountable.
He urged the need for constitutional provisions and legislative mechanisms must evolve to safeguard local government independence while ensuring accountability mechanisms remain robust.
He said the role of oversight institutions, including local government councils and auditors-general, is crucial in reinforcing transparency and curbing financial mismanagement.
He said these institutions must be empowered to fulfill their mandates effectively, rather than operating within constraints that limit their ability to enforce accountability.
Also, the Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and head of Transparency International’s Nigeria Chapter, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), said financial autonomy for Nigeria’s local governments has failed to deliver effective governance or true independence,
Rafsanjani described the root issues as systemic, driven by political interference, weak institutions, poor accountability, and rampant corruption.
He noted that in many states, local governments have become extensions of state executive power, with local officials often answering to governors rather than their constituents.
“Appointments, elections, budgetary allocations, and contract awards are frequently dictated by state actors,”
“The practice of replacing elected local councils with unelected caretaker committees, often for extended periods, violates Nigeria’s Constitution.
“These practices undermine democracy and federalism, sabotaging development at the grassroots level where governance should be most impactful.”Rafsanjani said.
Commenting on attempts to weaken anti-corruption agencies, Rafsanjani condemned moves by some governors to challenge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in court.
Also, the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, urged all other anti-corruption agencies the civil society and critical stakeholders like Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to come together to ensure that there is a change.
“We should not allow it to be truncated by strange cases, so that it will not erode the confidence of Nigerians in our justice system,” he said.
