By
Rahman Owokoniran
The concerns of those suspecting foul play about the Federal Government’s control over the council chairmen as a result of this judgement are allowing their sentiments to override good reason. Don’t get me wrong. I also reminisced about the fact that the same person who initiated the absolute control of local governments as a Governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007, by annexing their Federal allocations, is also behind the reversal.
What irony!
Could there be an ulterior motive behind this? Is there a landmine planted somewhere in that Supreme Court ruling won by the President and his team? Maybe now that he has no use for them at the state level, he desires to hijack and convert the local governments’ energy for his selfish use at the Centre? Simply put, does he want them to be within his reach to work for his re-election in 2027? This way, won’t he not only deliver himself but also the Governor of his choice?
I can also imagine that he can have the local government chairmen hijack the election process nationwide. What are we doing about this?
However, direct or indirect allocation shouldn’t deter us from investing more time and energy in making sure that we give democracy a chance to succeed.
I hear the argument that it will give the President direct access and control over these 774 LGAs. And this would alternatively translate to undue influence over the electioneering process. True, it is possible, particularly if we fail to nip it in the bud.
But the local government is also supposed to benefit from state allocations. This weapon is beneficial to the state government to exercise its control over the local government without interference with the Federal Government revenue allocation to the local government.
In addition, project matching grants to the local government are another option for state and local governments to execute needed projects that are beyond the reach of the local government. Besides, there are many ways to skin a cat. Money is fungible and the spending of it is not limited to the narrow range of its sources and size.
Getting back to the basics of what role the law played in all this. The Constitution of Nigeria recognises the three tiers of government and allocated to them their functions. It is true that the state was granted autonomy while the local government was not granted the same right. All the same, the three tiers of government recognised by the Constitution have their responsibilities to the people.
And the local government remains the closest administrative authority to the people. The absence of the local government council in performing its functions is a total and absolute disconnection of government from the people. More than 90 percent of the people will not have the needed access to government without it.
Thus, the people will continue to be deprived of their privileges and rights. The people’s input in the way they are governed will be limited to the privileged few personal interests. Or better yet, what is operational now, government of the few with the most basic knowledge about governance. Take it or leave it, you have no say in this matter. And the people’s resignation to faith on this subject of governance is so obvious; but who cares?
This is why I decided to speak out on this subject matter. It is about time we begin to address some fundamentals. The Local Government has been relegated to the backburner for too long. Unless something is done about it, the community will continue to suffer; and this will inevitably lead to further damages to our population and economy. Our economy can only be enhanced through communal harmony and cooperation with each other and through cooperation in all areas of endeavours.
The role to be played by the local government in promoting and maintaining peace and security cannot be overemphasised. This cannot be achieved without the support of the federal and state allocations to the local governments, armed also with their locally-generated revenue.
The Federal, state and local governments have their various functions marked out by our Constitution and none should be lacking in playing its own part. Autonomy gives the state the power to be governed independently without interference from the Federal Government; but the local government has been operating under the supervision of the state. The symbiotic relationship between the state and the local government can still exist with the direct allocation to the local government. This relationship was established in the Second Republic and the State Ministry of Local Government was established to monitor councils’ activities. Unlike now, the local government activities were noticeable and felt in all the localities, whereas the local authorities are no longer feasible in their domains. They are constantly blaming their non-performance on lack of resources or lack of funds even when the Federal Government would have released their monthly allocations.
Thus, this view of the Supreme Court is not strange to the system either.
In conclusion, I am addressing my mind to what I believe will work for us all and address the everyday challenges of our people. I believe our people will be better served by people oriented systems that will help us squarely face our problems. If we can allow the local government play active roles in encouraging the development of our communities, it will enhance our communities and enhance our economic development. We will develop the skills needed to create an environment where life is more productive and prosperous. We can build a culture that will be better and stronger for all of us.
In addition, I believe that the political parties are not doing enough to address the setbacks of our democratic system. What is the way forward to ensuring we build trust and confidence in our democratic system?
Less than 20 percent of voters cannot continue to decide the future President, Governor and others in a democracy. People’s confidence continues to erode and rulers don’t care. This is not the best attitude. Neither is deprivation of voters from participation in elections acceptable in a democracy.
In short, unless we defend and protect our democracy, it may not be sustainable.
This is my wake-up call.
HON. RAHMAN OWOKONIRAN WRITES FROM LAGOS
