From Mohammad Ibrahim, Kaduna
A group under the auspice of Civil Society Organisation, African Centre For Leadership, Strategy and Development, urged state Houses of Assembly across the country to support Local Government Autonomy in their respective States.
According to the group, the Autonomy of pass into law will serve as basis for Nigeria’s development.
The group also tasked the media across the country to help sensitize the lawmakers and ordinary people to see the local government autonomy as their own.
The CSO stated this in a communiqué issued in Kaduna and signed by the Director of the centre, Monday Obasanjo, which followed a one-day roundtable with the media on local government autonomy in Nigeria.
The interaction with the Kaduna based media practioners and members of other Civil Society Organizations was organised with support of Christian Aid.
The Director Osasah said there must be synergy between the media, CSOs and the communities in pushing for the passage of the bill.
According to him, “Autonomy of the local government since the return of democratic governance in Nigeria has continued to be increasingly difficult to realize.
“There is the continued tendency of state governments interfering in the political/administrative and financial affairs of the local governments.
‘’The citizens especially at the grassroots will be the ultimate beneficiaries of the ongoing effort at amending the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria with regard to the LG Autonomy.
“As the embodiment of the entirety of the people of Nigeria, citizens’ participation and engagement in this process will demonstrate participatory democracy,’’ he stated.
Earlier in her remarks at the event, Converner of the interaction and member of the centre, Victoria Udoh said they need at least 24 States Houses of Assembly to vote for the LG Autonomy in their States.
“It’s the only way the bill will scale through and be passed into law. We are in Kaduna to see how it will be passed. We believe the media and CSOs can help push for its passage, “she said.
