LGA Autonomy: Arrow of Time, Time Travel and Obasanjo Era
Updated on : Wednesday, 23 October, 2024
Released on: Saturday, 20 July, 2024
Read (203) |
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In July 2024, the Nigerian Supreme Court delivered a landmark ruling granting Local Government Areas (LGAs) full financial autonomy. The key takeaways from this ruling are:
Direct Allocation to LGAs
The Court declared that local governments should receive their allocations directly from the Federation Account, bypassing their state governments. This decision aimed at empowering LGAs by giving them greater control over their finances and resources.
Relief from Burden
The ruling relieves LGAs from the grip of state governors who often diverted funds meant for local development. Previously, LGAs operated as appendages of state governments, leading to neglect of critical services like primary education, healthcare, and infrastructure at the local level.
The Arrow of Time
The arrow of time refers to the unidirectional flow of time from past to present to future. Just as time moves forward, the Supreme Court ruling propels LGAs toward greater autonomy and progress.
LGAs, once constrained by state control, now have the opportunity to shape their destiny. Like the arrow of time, they move toward a more empowered future.
To put in perspective, if each LGA had spent a little of their allocation for the construction of a minimum of 2 kilometers of road per year, which would be about 3 roads, in 25 years each LGA would have completed 75 roads within their LGA. Even the most corrupt LGA can easily achieve this feat.
Time Travel and Obasanjo Era
There is no doubt that former President Olusegun Obasanjo's tenure (1999-2007) saw significant political changes in Nigeria including consolidation of financial services and the foundation of corruption. He undoubtedly played a pivotal role in shaping the country's path we have today.
Former President Obasanjo considered removing LGAs from the constitution, thanks to many patriots some of whom are still alive today. His action was akin to altering the fabric of time. Removing LGAs would have disrupted the existing structure, affecting governance and local development. Fortunately, the Supreme Court's recent ruling corrected this potential disruption, ensuring that LGAs remain integral to Nigeria's constitutional framework.
Whist all that could have been achieved in the last 25 years will remain a mystery, surely the next 25 years won't be same in the lives of Nigerians and the contributions LGA would make to quality of life. One thing is already certain, judging from the rush among governors to conduct LGA elections, there will be interest from people of better capacity to contest for executive or legislative positions in future LGA elections irrespective of who conduct the election.
INEC: Crucify Him Yesterday, Hosanna Tomorrow
Based on observation there is no doubt in my mind that INEC would conduct better LGA elections than most state governments currently do. However, I am personally mindful about INEC conducting LGA elections primarily because it may stifle creativity, and democratic development at the local level may suffer. If INEC should conduct LGA Elections, it means INEC will be implementing the same process in all the 774 LGAs which may not necessarily work for all LGAs and can create imbalance.
Let LGAs Conduct its Elections
Federalism is said to consist of relationship between multiple levels of government with jurisdiction over the same territory. If an LGA cannot conduct election of officials to govern them maybe we should revisit the whole idea of LGA in itself. In many countries, there are electoral commissions that set rules of elections but elections are conducted by local government within their constituency. Let LGAs conducts its elections based on existing federal electoral laws with INEC being a supervisory or monitoring federal agency. INEC currently does well with monitoring of political party primaries.
Politics is local. If LGAs conduct their elections, political development will be localised and citizens will feel more connected to the democratic process. Citizens will be more enlightened about democratic processes and trust government if their people are conducting the elections as against an Abuja-based organisation.
Conclusion
In states where LGA elections have already been scheduled, the BOOT Party has seen a surge in expressions of interest from party members who want to contest these elections compared to pre Supreme Court LGA ruling.
In conclusion, the Supreme Court ruling represents a positive shift toward local government autonomy, akin to the forward march of time. It allows LGAs to break free from past constraints and build a more vibrant future for their communities. Reflecting on Obasanjo's era, we should recognise the importance of preserving the continuity of local governance—a journey that aligns with the arrow of time.
Thank you and God bless you and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Yours sincerely,
@SonnyAdenuga
The BOOT Party is a cooperative-like political leadership system.
@TheBOOTParty
Send Feedback
WhatsApp: +234-705-774-9595
Signing up is free.
Join BOOT Party and Get Involved!
Download BOOT Party App to
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LGA Autonomy: Arrow of Time, Time Travel and Obasanjo Era
Updated on : Wednesday, 23 October, 2024
Released on: Saturday, 20 July, 2024
Read (203) |
Join BOOT Party
Tweet #VoteBOOTParty
In July 2024, the Nigerian Supreme Court delivered a landmark ruling granting Local Government Areas (LGAs) full financial autonomy. The key takeaways from this ruling are:
Direct Allocation to LGAs
The Court declared that local governments should receive their allocations directly from the Federation Account, bypassing their state governments. This decision aimed at empowering LGAs by giving them greater control over their finances and resources.
Relief from Burden
The ruling relieves LGAs from the grip of state governors who often diverted funds meant for local development. Previously, LGAs operated as appendages of state governments, leading to neglect of critical services like primary education, healthcare, and infrastructure at the local level.
The Arrow of Time
The arrow of time refers to the unidirectional flow of time from past to present to future. Just as time moves forward, the Supreme Court ruling propels LGAs toward greater autonomy and progress.
LGAs, once constrained by state control, now have the opportunity to shape their destiny. Like the arrow of time, they move toward a more empowered future.
To put in perspective, if each LGA had spent a little of their allocation for the construction of a minimum of 2 kilometers of road per year, which would be about 3 roads, in 25 years each LGA would have completed 75 roads within their LGA. Even the most corrupt LGA can easily achieve this feat.
Time Travel and Obasanjo Era
There is no doubt that former President Olusegun Obasanjo's tenure (1999-2007) saw significant political changes in Nigeria including consolidation of financial services and the foundation of corruption. He undoubtedly played a pivotal role in shaping the country's path we have today.
Former President Obasanjo considered removing LGAs from the constitution, thanks to many patriots some of whom are still alive today. His action was akin to altering the fabric of time. Removing LGAs would have disrupted the existing structure, affecting governance and local development. Fortunately, the Supreme Court's recent ruling corrected this potential disruption, ensuring that LGAs remain integral to Nigeria's constitutional framework.
Whist all that could have been achieved in the last 25 years will remain a mystery, surely the next 25 years won't be same in the lives of Nigerians and the contributions LGA would make to quality of life. One thing is already certain, judging from the rush among governors to conduct LGA elections, there will be interest from people of better capacity to contest for executive or legislative positions in future LGA elections irrespective of who conduct the election.
INEC: Crucify Him Yesterday, Hosanna Tomorrow
Based on observation there is no doubt in my mind that INEC would conduct better LGA elections than most state governments currently do. However, I am personally mindful about INEC conducting LGA elections primarily because it may stifle creativity, and democratic development at the local level may suffer. If INEC should conduct LGA Elections, it means INEC will be implementing the same process in all the 774 LGAs which may not necessarily work for all LGAs and can create imbalance.
Let LGAs Conduct its Elections
Federalism is said to consist of relationship between multiple levels of government with jurisdiction over the same territory. If an LGA cannot conduct election of officials to govern them maybe we should revisit the whole idea of LGA in itself. In many countries, there are electoral commissions that set rules of elections but elections are conducted by local government within their constituency. Let LGAs conducts its elections based on existing federal electoral laws with INEC being a supervisory or monitoring federal agency. INEC currently does well with monitoring of political party primaries.
Politics is local. If LGAs conduct their elections, political development will be localised and citizens will feel more connected to the democratic process. Citizens will be more enlightened about democratic processes and trust government if their people are conducting the elections as against an Abuja-based organisation.
Conclusion
In states where LGA elections have already been scheduled, the BOOT Party has seen a surge in expressions of interest from party members who want to contest these elections compared to pre Supreme Court LGA ruling.
In conclusion, the Supreme Court ruling represents a positive shift toward local government autonomy, akin to the forward march of time. It allows LGAs to break free from past constraints and build a more vibrant future for their communities. Reflecting on Obasanjo's era, we should recognise the importance of preserving the continuity of local governance—a journey that aligns with the arrow of time.
Thank you and God bless you and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Yours sincerely,
@SonnyAdenuga
The BOOT Party is a cooperative-like political leadership system.
@TheBOOTParty
Send Feedback
WhatsApp: +234-705-774-9595
Signing up is free.
Join BOOT Party and Get Involved!
Download BOOT Party App to
Vote in BOOT Party Election Primaries
Donate Because Nigeria Matters
