Adams Oshiomhole, the Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, has once again spoken out in favor of local government autonomy, describing it as crucial for grassroots development in Nigeria.
Oshiomhole’s support for financial autonomy for local governments was made public during a forum on local government autonomy organized by the House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution.
His remarks came just months after the landmark ruling by the Supreme Court on July 11, 2024, which granted financial independence to local government councils across the country.
The former governor of Edo State, known for his candid and sometimes provocative statements, wasted no time in highlighting the importance of decentralizing power to the local level.
Oshiomhole argued that giving local governments financial autonomy would allow for greater accountability and better governance at the grassroots level.
“This is the way forward,” Oshiomhole said. “It is time we stopped allowing power to be concentrated in the hands of a few. Local governments are closer to the people, and they are in a better position to respond to the needs of their communities.”
The senator pointed out that local government chairmen have a unique opportunity to manage resources in a way that directly benefits their people, citing roads, hospitals, and essential infrastructure as key priorities for such leadership.
The humorous yet pointed comment that followed caught the attention of the attendees.
“It’s better to have 774 local government chairmen who are thieves than one big thief,” Oshiomhole remarked, drawing laughter from the crowd but also making a serious point about the distribution of power and resources.
He further explained that decentralization would allow every local government in Nigeria to potentially develop its own billionaires, spreading wealth and opportunities across the country, instead of consolidating resources in the hands of a few powerful individuals.
Oshiomhole’s statement has sparked debates across Nigeria, with some critics questioning the wisdom behind such an analogy, while others believe it reflects the deep mistrust many have toward centralized governance.
The Supreme Court ruling earlier this year has been hailed by many as a significant step towards empowering local governments. However, despite the ruling, many local governments still face challenges in fully utilizing their newfound autonomy due to existing state-level control.
Some local government chairmen, even those in favor of autonomy, have expressed concerns about their ability to manage funds effectively, particularly given the complex political environment in which they operate.
At the forum, Oshiomhole’s call for local government autonomy was met with applause from several local government officials, who agree that the move will help them respond more effectively to their communities’ needs.
Local government autonomy is seen as a vital tool for the development of rural and underdeveloped areas of Nigeria, where infrastructure and basic services are often lacking.
For years, local governments in Nigeria have been criticized for their limited ability to carry out projects and manage resources due to financial dependence on state governments. The power of state governors to control local government funds has long been a point of contention in the country’s political discourse.
Local government autonomy would see elected local government officials receive funding directly from the federal government, bypassing state governments. This change is expected to promote transparency and reduce corruption at the local level.
Many believe that once local governments can access their funds independently, there will be more focus on essential development projects such as road construction, healthcare, and education, which have been neglected in several areas of the country.
However, critics of local government autonomy warn that the same issues of mismanagement and corruption that have plagued state governments could transfer to the local level.
Oshiomhole’s controversial comment about “774 thieves” highlights the reality of local government leadership in Nigeria, where corruption has often been linked to politicians’ handling of resources. The senator, however, seems to believe that even with such challenges, a decentralized system would allow for greater overall development, with resources spread more evenly across Nigeria’s vast and diverse communities.
As the debate over local government autonomy continues to heat up, Oshiomhole’s comments are sure to remain a topic of discussion.
The Senate and the House of Representatives are expected to continue reviewing the 1999 Constitution in the coming months, with local government autonomy high on the agenda. Oshiomhole’s strong stance could influence the course of these deliberations, particularly with the public’s growing demand for more transparent and accountable governance at all levels.
