A recent KAS CISLAC dialogue in Nigeria called for urgent LGA Reform, targeting corruption, state interference, and advocating for democratic grassroots governance
The state of LGA Reform in Nigeria remains a critical concern for scholars and pro democracy activists.
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Despite constitutional mandates for democratically elected structures, the widespread use of unelected caretaker committees and states’ refusal to conduct polls continue to hinder effective local governance.
These persistent issues affect service delivery and economic prosperity at the grassroots level.
Analysts frequently point to significant anomalies. These include a lack of credible elections, pervasive corruption, and the diversion of local government funds.
Powerful state governors often interfere with LGA operations, stifling initiatives intended to bring democratic benefits closer to citizens.
Governance experts highlight the dire situation of Nigerians in rural and underserved communities.
While Section 7(1) of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution grants states power over LGAs, experts worry states use this role to cripple local autonomy. This represents a major weak link in Nigeria’s governance framework.
These complex political, legal, and administrative issues formed the core of a recent one day dialogue.
The Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) in partnership with the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) organised the event.
It brought together civil society organisations to address corruption and inefficiencies in LGA administration.
The dialogue also aimed to explore how civic advocacy could offer effective solutions, particularly in light of President Bola Tinubu’s push for reforms, including financial autonomy and deeper democratic processes at the LGA level.
Marija Peran, KAS Resident Representative, outlined Nigeria’s efforts towards LGA reform, noting recurrent setbacks.
She emphatically warned that “Corruption erodes the foundation of democratic accountability in Nigeria’s local governance.”
Peran stressed the critical importance of proper LGA election conduct, advocating that the system should not merely extend centralised control.
KAS argues that without a vibrant and engaged citizenry, reforms and the relevance of LGAs will not produce desirable outcomes for Nigeria’s governance architecture.
Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, CISLAC Executive Director, asserted that reforming Nigeria’s LGAs for citizen service delivery is more than a constitutional matter; it is a developmental imperative.
He lamented that LGAs often achieve little, acting as mere extensions of state governors who continually interfere.
Rafsanjani highlighted that this ongoing situation constrains grassroots development and denies the entire country the benefit of administrators gaining governance experience at the local level.
Participants urged civil society organisations to diligently work towards improving LGAs’ fortunes.
This includes insisting on accountability, transparency, and value for money in fund utilisation.
For national goals of economic prosperity, security, and infrastructure development to be achieved, participants stressed the importance of addressing the lack of democracy in LGAs through evidence based advocacy.
Suggested measures included whistleblower protection, closing financial loopholes, legal reforms for political autonomy, and encouraging robust citizen participation.
The problem of ruling parties compromising electoral processes, often leading to total wins for chairmanship and councillorship seats, also received scrutiny.
Rafsanjani concluded that state governors have become overly powerful, hindering grassroots democracy.
He advocated dismantling power structures that leave LGAs vulnerable to governors who act like overlords.
He cited instances of political actors creating artificial crises, such as the Kano Emirate tussle, and criticised governors who seek to disband anti corruption agencies.
Rafsanjani commended civil society for vigorously defending agencies like the EFCC and ICPC.
Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, ICPC Chairman, stated that democratisation challenges in LGA administration foster corruption.
He addressed a disturbing pattern where those in charge of LGAs lack competence, suggesting a deliberate attempt to undermine administration.
Aliyu cited instances of election funds being suspiciously diverted for non public interests.
He noted that these corruption risks spurred ICPC, with the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity, to introduce accountability measures in LGAs, focusing on fiscal transparency, human resources, open procurement, and citizen engagement.
Dr. Aliyu also drew attention to lawyers filing frivolous court cases to undermine reforms and financial autonomy, despite the Supreme Court’s definitive judgment on the matter.
He emphasised that anti corruption agencies are bound to enforce this Supreme Court decision, as it forms a critical part of Nigerian jurisprudence.
He appealed to legal professionals to desist from actions that undermine the integrity of their profession.
Professor Adetunji Ogunyemi, a lawyer and Professor of Economic History, provided a review of Nigeria’s local government system.
He questioned Nigeria’s commitment to local governance, noting states’ historical confiscation of joint accounts, starving LGAs of funds.
Professor Ogunyemi argued that while state laws govern LGAs, the Supreme Court’s verdict on financial autonomy now constitutes the effective legal framework.
He identified core issues facing LGA administration, including applying subsidiarity principles without rupturing state LGA relationships.
Other issues covered financial autonomy, equitable revenue allocation, and increasing political participation.
Professor Ogunyemi controversially suggested that military governments had historically done more for LGA administrations than democratic ones, citing data on LGA creation and attempts to centralise control.
He stated, “In fact, the local government system has evolved more from central government initiatives than from local initiatives. Whereas, the states of the federation have made all efforts to annul or confiscate the authority of local governments, the central (federal) government have always come in the defence of local government.”
Finally, sessions focused on corruption and LGA elections. Mr. Jide Ojo, Executive Director of OJA Consult, highlighted severe funding constraints for State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs).
He noted that most SIECs lack functional offices and rely on seconded civil servants, unlike INEC, which receives robust funding.
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The dialogue concluded with a collective resolve for civic actors to intensify advocacy efforts at LGA levels, recognising that addressing these “problems” is crucial for democracy’s benefits to reach all citizens.
