LG autonomy: The mess gets messier, By Zainab Suleiman Okino
24 Oct
Politics

LG autonomy: The mess gets messier, By Zainab Suleiman Okino

Posted by author-avatar
0
Politics tamfitronics Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State.The pervasive toxicity in our politics, manifesting as bad governance, corruption, and lack of transparency, has created an unaccountable ruling class. This environment threatens to further complicate an already complex situation, pushing the dream of true local government autonomy even further from reach.When the Supreme Court delivered its landmark judgment on financial autonomy for the 774 Local Governments (LGs) in July, many believed salvation had finally reached the grassroots. The verdict was expected to empower LGs to make decisions and take actions without seeking approval from state governors, potentially ushering in the much-needed development to this long-neglected tier of government. How wrong we were.The office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation, George Akume, established an inter-ministerial committee to enforce and implement the Supreme Court’s verdict....
Continue reading
News

Autonomy: Credible LG Polls Will Boost Women’s Participation In Politics – Stakeholders

Posted by author-avatar
0
Politics tamfitronics Stakeholders have said that the recent Supreme Court judgement granting financial autonomy to all 774 local government areas in Nigeria presents an immense opportunity for more women to participate in politics and governance at the grassroots level.Reacting to the judgement, the state coordinator of Progressive Sisters Network and technical assistant to a federal lawmaker, Lateefah Aspita Isah, said the judgement on LGA autonomy couldn’t have come at a better time. Speaking during an interview, she said women, as great mobilizers, must take advantage of their numbers to intensify the drive for women’s inclusion in governance right from the local government level.According to her, “Formidable women’s groups like the Nigerian Women Trust Fund and the Women in Politics Forum, among others at the federal level, need to intensify advocacy to fight for increased women’s...
Continue reading
Tinubu’s LG autonomy gamble
22 Jul
Politics

Tinubu’s LG autonomy gamble

Posted by author-avatar
0
Politics tamfitronics By abiodun KOMOLAFE“Local government is not just about politics, it’s about people’s lives.” – Eric GarcettiAt last, the Supreme Court of Nigeria has ruled in favor of Nigeria’s 774 Local Governments (LGs)! May God’s name be praised!Yes, the Supreme Court’s ruling is a significant victory, ordering 20.6% of the federation account allocation to be paid directly to LG accounts, as constitutionally mandated! But how did Nigeria descend to this point? It’s clear that most state governors sought to control LGs by appointing their herds and apparatchiks as council chairmen, thus disregarding elections. President Bola Tinubu deserves the highest praise imaginable for taking bold action.In Nigeria, state governors have historically been reluctant to grant fiscal autonomy to the LGs for the obvious reasons of political power play, fear of reduced revenue, patronage and clientelism,...
Continue reading