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Funding Issues Affecting Local Government Autonomy – Speaker Abbas
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has identified inadequate funding as a key factor hindering local government autonomy in Nigeria.
He expressed these concerns at a National Dialogue on Local Government Reform and Constitutional Amendment held in Abuja.
EKO HOT BLOG reports that Tajudeen, represented by Deputy Speaker Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, highlighted the financial constraints faced by local governments, which impede their ability to deliver essential services such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and sanitation.
He stated, “Local governments often operate on budgets that are insufficient to meet their responsibilities, limiting their capacity to provide these critical services.”
Emphasising the importance of autonomy, Tajudeen stressed that local governments must be granted sufficient independence to address the specific needs of their communities. “Local governments must operate with a degree of autonomy that allows them to respond promptly and appropriately to the unique needs of their communities,” he said.
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In a related development, Speaker Tajudeen condemned the conduct of local government elections across various Nigerian states, calling them a “disgrace.” He expressed his disappointment that despite the framers of the constitution’s intentions to create an effective local government system, numerous challenges continue to undermine their effectiveness.
Speaker Abbas
He pointed to several issues, including inadequate funding, lack of autonomy, interference by other levels of government, and corruption, which have plagued local councils for years. Tajudeen also criticized the poor quality of local government elections, where ruling parties often dominate and win all positions. He described this as a serious flaw in the democratic process.
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Tajudeen emphasized the urgent need for electoral reforms, calling for local government elections to be conducted with greater transparency, fairness, and integrity. “One of the most pressing issues we must address is the poor quality of local government elections across our states. This undermines democracy and raises concerns about the integrity of local governance,” he stated.
He further noted that when elections lack competitiveness—where ruling parties sweep all positions—it undermines democratic principles. “This situation is not only an embarrassment but also a serious threat to our democracy,” he warned. “It creates an environment where unqualified individuals often infiltrate local councils, lacking the capacity to govern effectively.”
Tajudeen emphasised that local governments have become pawns in the hands of state governments or political “godfathers” who manipulate outcomes for their own benefit. He urged for reform, advocating for transparency and fairness in local government elections. “A strengthened local government system would relieve the States of unnecessary burdens and lead to grassroots development,” he concluded, calling for the cooperation of state governors and assemblies to make these reforms a reality.
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