Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, a former minister of education, has emphasized the importance of local government autonomy in Nigeria.
In her speech, Ezekwesili discussed “Promoting Sustainable Development Models for Effective Local Governance,” the topic of the inaugural virtual Democracy Dialogue.
The purpose of the event was to force the legislature, the executive branch, the Independent National Electoral Commission, and the security establishment to take significant political and electoral reform steps in order to ensure credible, transparent, free, and fair elections.
Two weeks ago, the former vice president of the World Bank made headlines when she promised not to go back to the previous national anthem, which had just been approved by the government.
Speaking at the function, Ezekwesili revealed that until the grassroots is involved, the nation’s problems cannot be resolved at the highest levels of governance.
She said, “Nigeria is faced with serious structural challenges in its democracy and governance, and nothing works until structural solutions are provided. That means we cannot start solving the problems of the country from the rooftops.
“We believe that for functionality, we have to correct the structure, which is at the centre of constitutional change.
“A Nigeria that works has to be designed by the people. We need to place the grassroots at the heart of the Nigeria project.”
Relatedly, activist Aisha Yesufu advocated for citizen participation in the political process. She felt that the people should be included in decision-making processes by the government.
“We need to understand that people have the right to make demands and ask for explanations. Asking questions is good, and that means they believe in government. There should be an attitudinal change. Presently, the local government’s loyalty has been to the state government, and not the people who elected them. That has to change,” she said.
Olusesan Daini, the Executive Chairman of the Lagos-based Igbogbo-Baiyeku Local Council Development Area, had the same views as Yesufu regarding the demand for local government autonomy. He claims that the constitution makes the function of local governments very evident.
“They are expected to look at the economic development of the state, because, for any state to thrive, there must be functional local governments. We are entrusted with the healthcare system, road maintenance, preservation of natural resources, except mining, primary education, healthcare system, the environment and road infrastructure,” he disclosed.
Funds for local governments should come straight from them, according to Sesugh Akume, Executive Director of Advocate for Good Governance.
He stated, “There is too much centralisation in Nigeria, and now is the time to decentralise power and allow the local governments to access funds directly from the Federal Government. There are too many restrictions in the country, and that is affecting the local government’s functionality.”
Seun Onigbinde, the creator of BudgIT, advocated for societal accountability and the monitoring of governmental performance. He felt that in order to hold the government responsible to the people, the people must band together.
