From Idu Jude, Abuja
To ensure the judicious implementation of the local government financial autonomy recently granted by the Supreme Court of Nigeria, a civil society organisation (CSO), The Electoral Hub, has called on all stakeholders and well-meaning Nigerians to support the ruling’s implementation.
In a press statement released on Thursday, Princess Hamman-Obels, Director of The Electoral Hub, noted that Nigerians from all backgrounds could work towards creating a more prosperous and fairer Nigeria where every citizen has access to quality public services and opportunities for development.
Suggesting a way forward, Hamman-Obels said, “To ensure the successful implementation of this judgment, IRIAD Electoral Hub recommends adequate capacity building for local government officials. This would involve receiving training and support from federal and state governments to improve their expertise in financial management, project planning, and service delivery.”
She added, “They also need to be trained on the need for transparency and accountability mechanisms, enabling local governments to establish strong systems for transparency and accountability, such as frequent public disclosure, social audits, and the development of anti-corruption strategies, as well as the provision of services.”
The Director further suggested collaboration with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to encourage citizen involvement, oversee the execution of projects, and guarantee that resources are utilised for the well-being of the populace.
On monitoring and evaluation, she observed that the federal government should track the progress and impact of local government autonomy through a strong evaluation framework.
The Initiative for Research, Innovation, and Advocacy in Development (IRIAD) The Electoral Hub stated that the historic ruling is a significant milestone in strengthening grassroots democracy, good governance, and development in the country.
“The new setup would enable local governments to independently make decisions, take actions, and handle their finances without requiring consent from state governments,” the statement read. “They are now able to prioritise projects and programmes that directly help their communities, fostering local development and transparency. We anticipate that this decision will significantly change the role of local government administration in Nigeria, reducing political influence and urbanisation.”
“The decision also upholds the constitutional provisions for democratic elections of local government leadership,” it continued.
However, the organisation urged state governments to uphold the constitution’s integrity and refrain from arbitrarily dismissing elected local government officials.
It believes the recent Supreme Court ruling will contribute to better service provision, allowing local governments to prioritise essential services such as healthcare, education, sanitation, and infrastructure development for their communities without interference from state governments. This change, it reminded, is expected to reduce the development gap between urban and rural areas as local governments can hopefully allocate resources according to their communities’ specific needs.