Fayose provides reasons Local Government autonomy cannot work in Nigeria

In a detailed criticism of the recent Supreme Court ruling, former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has voiced his concern over the practicality of granting autonomy to local governments in Nigeria.

Fayose’s comments come after the Supreme Court’s decision on Thursday, affirming the local government’s right to receive direct monthly allocations from the federation account.

It was stated that the local government was the closest to the people and formed the foundation of both the state and federal governments.

In its ruling on Thursday, a seven-member panel of justices led by Justice Emmanuel Agim stated that state governments have persistently misused funds designated for local government administrations.

The federal government had filed a suit (SC/CV/343/2024) against the governors of all 36 states seeking complete autonomy for the nation’s 774 local governments

Speaking on Sunday’s edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today, the seasoned politician and Peoples Democratic Party stalwart highlighted persistent obstacles to effective local governance despite legal mandates.

Fayose emphasized the significant influence that state legislatures and governors have over local government affairs. He stated, “You cannot take the baby from the mother,” to illustrate the autonomy debate in the broader context of established political dynamics.

Fayose drew from his extensive experience to challenge the notion that local government chairmen could operate independently of gubernatorial patronage. He asserted that “There is nobody that can become a council chairman without a governor,” and dismissed the feasibility of grassroots emergence in the absence of state backing.

Fayose’s issues on local government autonomy

The ex-governor strongly criticized the administrative efficiency of local governments, pointing out irregular attendance and widespread absenteeism among council staff during workdays.

He expressed his disappointment that on Wednesdays or Fridays, less than 10 percent of the local government staff would be present at the office, highlighting a systemic inefficiency.

Fayose also argued that the so-called autonomy granted to local governments was merely an illusion, as state assemblies held significant oversight and control. He contended that legislative bodies routinely restricted local autonomy through oversight and bureaucratic control mechanisms.

In a thought-provoking analysis, Fayose questioned the sincerity of efforts to devolve power to local levels. He suggested that bureaucratic inefficiencies and political patronage make such efforts futile. “The state is more effective in administrative performance than the local government,” he concluded, casting doubt on the practicality of decentralizing governance responsibilities.

As debates continue about local government autonomy, Fayose’s critical perspective serves as a stark reminder of the entrenched power dynamics and administrative challenges shaping Nigeria’s political landscape.