The decision of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to drag state governments to the apex court is nothing but a highly commendable and informed one. This was reported in the Nigerian Tribune on May 27, 2024.
There have been intense public outcries for local government autonomy in every quarter as occasioned by the servitude, ineptitude and slavery status the government at the grassroots is being subjected to that eventually crippled them.
Local government autonomy can be described as granting power and authority to the local councils to discharge their assigned duties in compliance with the provisions of constitution that established them. Such responsibilities include: absolute control on its financial resources; political independence; policy formulation and execution and so on, without undue interference from other tiers of government.
However, there has been incessant and intentional withholding of the allocations belonging to the local governments by some state governors; unconstitutional dissolution of local councils; illegal removal of local government chairmen among others.
In summary, we should put a halt to the culture of impunity and embrace a paradigm shift that ensures political, financial and administrative autonomy for all local governments in Nigeria in order to fast-track the much needed growth and development in all facets and strata of our society.
Abd Rosheed Akintibubo, Ile-Ife, Osun State.
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