• We must ensure transparent conduct of council elections, others
• Orji Kalu insists S’Court has addressed LG funds
From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has said the poor conduct of elections at the local government level was undermining the nation’s democracy.
Abbas stated this while declaring open a national dialogue on local government and constitution amendment organised by the House Committee on Constitution Review in Abuja, yesterday.
The speaker, who was represented by his deputy, Benjamin Kalu, said the poor conduct of local government elections, which results in the ruling party winning all seats at stake raises concerns about the integrity of the governance structure at the grassroots level.
“One of the most pressing issues we must deal with is the poor quality of elections into local government councils across our states.
“This situation not only undermines the very essence of democracy but also raises serious concerns about the integrity and functionality of our local governance structures.
“When elections are characterised by a lack of competitiveness, wherein the ruling party sweeps all positions, it becomes evident that we are witnessing a mockery of democratic principles.
“This scenario is not merely an embarrassment, it poses a significant threat to our democracy. It fosters an environment where undesirable elements infiltrate these councils, often lacking the necessary capacity and vision to govern effectively.
“Consequently, local governments have become mere appendages of state governments or pawns in the hands of the so-called godfathers who manipulate political outcomes for their gain.
“The recent supreme court judgment mandating the conduct of elections into the councils and direct disbursement of funds to them has provided a significant legal framework that supports the autonomy and functionality of local governments across the country.
“This landmark decision is a testament to our collective commitment to uphold democratic principles at all levels of governance.
“However, while we celebrate these advancements, we must also acknowledge that the need for comprehensive reform has never been more urgent as some of the nagging issues persist.
“Importantly, we must confront the disgraceful and poor conduct of elections into the councils. We must find a way of instilling transparency, fairness and openness in the conduct of elections in local governments. Doing this would require the understanding and collaborative efforts of the state governors and houses of assembly.
“We must find a way of convincing them that a strengthened local government system would relieve the states of unnecessary burdens and lead to grassroots development.”
Abbas said constitutional reforms were essential to addressing the challenges facing the local governments.
The speaker said the advocacy for “greater financial autonomy” for local governments must continue to ensure that they get adequate funding directly from the federal allocations without excessive state control.
He said inadequate funding remains one of the most significant obstacles to local government administration, noting that they operate on budgets that are insufficient to meet their responsibilities.
“This financial constraint limits their ability to deliver essential services such as education, healthcare, infrastructure development, and sanitation. As a result, many communities continue to suffer from poor living conditions and lack of access to basic amenities,” he said.
Abbas said more mechanisms must be explored to empower local governments with decision-making authority over their affairs.
“However, for local governments to fulfil these roles effectively, they must operate with a degree of autonomy that allows them to respond promptly and appropriately to the unique needs of their communities,” the speaker stated.
The Senate Chief Whip, Orji Uzor Kalu, while responding to a question during a panel discussion on local government autonomy, said the recent Supreme Court’s judgement that local government allocations be directly paid to the local councils has addressed the issue of financial autonomy.
Kalu, former governor of Abia, recalled that during his tenure, the state government did not meddle into the local government finances.
“During my time as governor, the state government had nothing to do with the funds of the local government. President Obasanjo was vehement that there should be separation of power. And we maintained separation of power and nobody could touch the funds of the local government.
“They know that the state government, in our time, had nothing to do with local government money. We always reminded them that the local government fund was meant for the local government. And the state government fund was meant for the state government. The constitution made it clear that there are three tiers of government. The federal government, the state government and the local government. So, everyone should be financially independent.”