They specifically called for a constitutional amendment to address salient issues with regards to the state and local government joint account and the State Independent Electoral Commission among others.
The stakeholders, including political leaders, activists and unionists, who spoke in separate interviews with journalists in Bauchi, Dutse and Gombe, described the constitutional amendment as “vital” towards strengthening the local government system.
This is coming against the backdrop of debates over the Supreme Court’s judgement, which upheld the autonomy of the councils.
The apex court, in a judgement on July 11, voided the Joint Account of State and LGA’s and ordered the Accountant General of the Federation to only pay funds into the accounts of the councils with democratically elected members.
The landmark judgement brings an end to transition committees, caretaker committees or sole administrators in LGCs.
A Gombe State-based legal practitioner, Abdullahi Inuwa, said the Supreme Court’s judgement was not something new, rather an affirmation of the three tiers of government.
He stressed the need for thorough amendments to enable the local councils to exercise their functions in line with constitutional provisions.
Mr Dahiru said that SIEC should be replaced with the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct local council elections.
This, he said, would ensure uniformity and credibility in the electoral processes at the grassroots.
Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees in Gombe State, Sale Abdullahi, said the amendment would allow the councils to function independently without undue interference by the state governors.
He said, “It is only with absolute autonomy in place that sustainable development will get to the grass-roots.”
A civil society activist in Bauchi State, Caleb Bansi, noted that the amendment was necessary to redefine the role and powers of SIECs and enhance their autonomy and credibility in conducting free and fair elections at the local level.
“The amendment should focus on strengthening the independence of SIECs to ensure they operate without undue influence from state governors and vested interests.
“Legislative changes are crucial to establishing clear guidelines for electoral processes and enhancing public trust in local government elections,” he said.
Also, a former secretary of NULGE in Bauchi, Dauda Sale, said that the constitutional amendment would address challenges militating against the effective running of the councils, such as poor funding, political interference, and limited administrative and financial autonomy.
He said that many state governments view the Supreme Court’s decision as potentially undermining their authority and ability to effectively coordinate development efforts at the local level.
Mr Saleh said the court’s decision was a potential opportunity to enhance service delivery and governance efficiency at the grass-roots.
“Constitutional amendments will ensure the administrative autonomy of LGAs, empowering them to independently manage their affairs, appoint personnel, and execute developmental projects.
“This requires legislative changes that clearly define the scope of local government responsibilities and powers,” he said.
In the same vein, an ex-chairman of the Dutse Local Government Council in Jigawa State, Bala Yargaba, said that a constitutional amendment would facilitate sound reforms to upgrade local government administration.
He, however, said that the Jigawa State was not withholding local council funds, noting that the council had been enjoying financial autonomy in the state.
He said, “I was a three-time chairman of Dutse LGC, and from experience, there has never been a time when the state withheld the council’s allocations for whatever reason. We have had tough times in the councils in those days, many times when the state government had to borrow money to help LGCs with insufficient funds to pay salaries. About 16 LGAs could not pay workers’ salaries, much less care for other services; the state government is supporting them to meet their obligations.”
He, therefore, stressed the need for a constitutional amendment to empower INEC to conduct local council elections.
The Chairman, Nigerian Labour Congress, Jigawa State chapter, Sanusi Maigatari, stated that the constitutional amendment would reorganise the councils, allowing them to further ingrain democratic culture at the local level, encourage good governance, and strive towards the reduction of poverty.
He said that urgent legislative actions were imperative to give Nigerians the opportunity to reap the benefits of the Supreme Court’s judgement.
(NAN)
