Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, GCON, has called for urgent constitutional changes to address the persistent challenges facing Nigeria’s local government system.
His remarks were delivered at the National Dialogue on Local Government and Constitution Amendment, held on December 2, 2024, at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja. Tajudeen emphasized that local governments are crucial to Nigeria’s governance structure, as they serve as the closest tier of government to the people, responsible for delivering essential services and fostering community development.
Key Challenges Facing Local Governments
In his address, Tajudeen acknowledged the many obstacles hindering local governments’ effectiveness. These challenges include inadequate funding, lack of autonomy, insufficient capacity, and interference from state governments, which have plagued local governance for decades. Tajudeen stressed that these issues not only stifle local governance but also undermine national development, making reforms to the local government system more urgent than ever.
A major issue raised by the Deputy Speaker was the inadequate funding of local governments. He pointed out that many local governments in Nigeria operate with insufficient budgets, limiting their ability to provide crucial services like healthcare, education, infrastructure, and sanitation. Tajudeen called for greater financial autonomy for local governments, urging constitutional amendments that would ensure they receive adequate funding directly from federal allocations, without excessive control from state governments.
Another critical issue highlighted by Tajudeen was the lack of autonomy for local governments. He explained that the current system often places local governments under the control of state governments, interfering with their ability to make independent decisions. This lack of autonomy, Tajudeen argued, stifles innovation, accountability, and responsiveness to the unique needs of local communities. He called for reforms that would empower local governments to operate independently, enabling them to better serve their constituents.
Call for Electoral Reform and Capacity Building
Tajudeen also addressed the need for capacity building within local governments. Many local government officials, he noted, lack the necessary training and skills to manage effectively, resulting in poor service delivery and diminished public trust. He emphasized the importance of establishing training programs to equip local government officials with the skills needed to administer efficiently and improve governance at the grassroots level.
The Deputy Speaker also condemned the poor conduct of local government elections, which he described as undermining the principles of democracy. He noted that many local government elections are non-competitive, with ruling parties often sweeping all positions, which damages the integrity of the electoral process and weakens local governance. Tajudeen called for reforms that would ensure transparency, fairness, and openness in local government elections. He also stressed the need for collaboration between state governors and lawmakers to improve the electoral process.
While acknowledging the efforts made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, Tajudeen praised the recent Supreme Court ruling mandating the conduct of elections into local councils and direct disbursement of funds to them. He recognized these actions as steps toward strengthening the autonomy and functionality of local governments. However, he emphasized that more comprehensive reforms are necessary to address deeper structural issues.
Tajudeen called for constitutional reforms that would not only guarantee adequate funding for local governments but also provide them with more decision-making authority to address local needs. He urged lawmakers to prioritize these changes in order to create a more effective and accountable local government system.
Additionally, Tajudeen expressed his support for ongoing discussions between the Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, and state governors, as well as Speakers of State Houses of Assembly. He expressed confidence that these dialogues would help facilitate the necessary constitutional amendments to strengthen the local government system.
In concluding his speech, Tajudeen emphasized that the National Dialogue was an opportunity to engage in substantive discussions about the future of local governments in Nigeria. He expressed full confidence in the Constitution Review Committee’s ability to distill the outcomes of the dialogue into meaningful legislative measures.
Tajudeen also extended his gratitude to the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) for their continued support in advancing these reform efforts. He acknowledged their contributions to strengthening Nigeria’s democratic institutions and supporting the country’s governance processes.
The Deputy Speaker concluded by encouraging all stakeholders to actively contribute their views, as their input would play a crucial role in shaping the future of local government in Nigeria. He expressed hope that through collective efforts, the necessary reforms would be made, leading to a stronger and more effective local government system that will benefit communities across the nation.
