Help Tinubu achieve effective LGA governance – CAOs urge APC states

By Jude Opara, Abuja

As most states in the country continue to join the All Progressives Congress (APC), some members of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have charged the states to take more positive action to becoming more participatory and citizens- oriented, especially with more allocation now going to the LGAs.

However , a recent CSOs roundtable held in Owerri, Imo State observed that the third tier of government is still dogged by political challenges most of which are instigated by the state chief executives.

They argued that while the present administration under President Bola Tinubu has vigorously pushed measures that guarantee the full implementation of Local Government Autonomy, the efforts had been largely been rolled back by state governments.

According to Dr. Emeka Onoamadu, Convener of the roundtable the discussion focused on how governance at the local government level can become more citizens orientated and participatory using the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act to compel LGAs to become more open in the management of their resources which now runs into hundreds of millions on a monthly basis.

“The roundtable also x-rayed the economic and political challenges which the emasculation of LGA resources by state government poses to the overall and even development of our country Nigeria”.

The CSOs present expressed their support to the effort of the president to get LGAs to be financially autonomous, even as they expressed concern over the body language of the governors which shows that 31 APC led states are not complying with President Tinubu’s desire which has been given some bite by the 2025 Supreme Court ruling on LGA independence as a third tier of government.

The CSOs wondered why government is not following up with amendment of relevant section of the constitution that lumps state funds with that of the LGAs.

“The roundtable wonders why the President’s desires for LGA autonomy is not being fast track with first the required constitutional amendment which will delete the joint account between states and LGAs which states are taking advantage of.

“Today corruption is higher, according to Transparency International, because governors still have access to LGA funds which they are not using to develop the LGAs”.

The roundtable called on President Tinubu and his ruling party to bequeath the nation the desired autonomous third tier government.

“On this, Nigerians and CSOs are in support of the President as we hope that it’s not to set Nigerians on a wide goose chase. The essence of federal allocation to LGAs is to ensure equal development of nooks and crannies of Nigeria but governors have halted it by hijacking these funds and leaving LGAs in total ruins”.

The CSO agreed that the effective running of LGAs can quickly be used to reduce poverty, cure insecurity and massive lack of citizens participation in local governance, and that it will be historic if LGAs will regain their autonomy.

Nevertheless, the roundtable also warned LGAs to be prepared for citizens’ increased oversight, supervision and participation when the autonomy eventually returns.