Abuja, Nigeria
Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas has criticised the conduct of local government elections in States across the country, describing it as “disgraceful.”
Abbas made the statement in Abuja on Monday during the national dialogue on local government and constitutional amendments.
The speaker who spoke through his deputy, Benjamin Kalu, emphasised that local governments, being the closest to the people, play a crucial role in providing services, fostering community development, and ensuring that citizens’ voices are heard across all levels of governance.
He explained that for local governments to operate effectively, they must have a level of autonomy that allows them to address the specific needs of their communities in a timely and appropriate manner.
“One of the most pressing issues we must deal with is the poor quality of elections into local government councils across our states,” he said.
“This situation not only undermines the very essence of democracy but also raises serious concerns about the integrity and functionality of our local governance structures.
“When elections are characterised by a lack of competitiveness — wherein the ruling party sweeps all positions — it becomes evident that we are witnessing a mockery of democratic principles.
“This scenario is not merely an embarrassment, it poses a significant threat to our democracy. It fosters an environment where undesirable elements infiltrate these councils, often lacking the necessary capacity and vision to govern effectively.
“Consequently, local governments have become mere appendages of state governments or pawns in the hands of so-called godfathers who manipulate political outcomes for their gain.
“The recent supreme court judgment mandating the conduct of elections into the councils and direct disbursement of funds to them has provided a significant legal framework that supports the autonomy and functionality of local governments across the country.
“This landmark decision is a testament to our collective commitment to uphold democratic principles at all levels of governance.
“Importantly, we must confront the disgraceful and poor conduct of elections in the councils. We must find a way of instilling transparency, fairness and openness in the conduct of elections in local governments. Doing this would require the understanding and collaborative efforts of the State governors and houses of assembly.
“We must find a way of convincing them that a strengthened local government system would relieve the States of unnecessary burdens and lead to grassroots development.”
The speaker said constitutional reforms are essential to addressing local government challenges.
The speaker said the advocacy for “greater financial autonomy” for local governments must continue to ensure that they get adequate funding directly from federal allocations without excessive state control.
He said inadequate funding was one of the obstacles to the effectiveness of local government administration. He added that LGAs’ budgets are “insufficient to meet their responsibilities.”
“This financial constraint limits their ability to deliver essential services such as education, healthcare, infrastructure development, and sanitation. As a result, many communities continue to suffer from poor living conditions and lack access to basic amenities,” he said.
Abbas said more mechanisms must be explored to empower local governments with decision-making authority over their affairs.
