…….Urges them to respect LG Autonomy
Emmanuel lkpeama
The Coalition of Civil Society Group on Good Governance, comprising of the Human Rights Monitoring Agenda (HURMA); Campaign Against Impunity; Center for Economics and Human Rights Advancement and Ideal Society Advocacy Group, on Thursday 10 October,2024 has called on the Lagos State House of Assembly not to take any action capable of undermining local government autonomy.u
The group in a press conference held in Lagos said that the practice of lawmakers querying and sanctioning Local Government administrators was in total contradiction to council autonomy, thereby condemning in it entirety the latest attempt by the Lagos State House of Assembly and its Speaker Rt Hon Mudasiru Obasa ,to subvert the sacred autonomy of Alimosho Local Government and annex it as their colony.
Speaking to newsmen,the Executive Director Human Right Monitoring Agenda (Hurma), Comrade Buna Olaitan lsiak who spoke on behalf of the group stated that the shameful attempt carried out by the lawmakers is not only a sacrilege but an unthinkable coup’d’etat and a deliberate attempt to soil the good name of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,whom he described as a living legend of democracy and a die hard advocate of local government autonomy.
“It is rather unthinkable that the very distinguished institution of democracy,the parliament,in a state like Lagos,can constitute itself into an inordinate autocrat, assuming power that is never given to it by any stretch of imagination. More shameful is it as it is coming just at the heel of a Supreme Court judgement, affirming the autonomy of local governments,a monumental achievement in the quest for true democratic governance and fiscal federalism in Nigeria”
“It is essential that this landmark decision is not rendered s nullity through actions or policies that undermine the autonomy granted to our local governments. Local Government plays a critical role in governance, serving as the grassroots connection between the citizens and the state.Local government autonomy is essential for fostering democratic participation and improving service delivery by allowing local government to make decisions that reflects the needs and priorities of their communities”he said
Comrade Isiak Bunan went further to state that the State Assembly should stop interfering in the affairs of LGAs, adding that Alimosho should be free from undue interference and control from higher levels of government.
“Alimosho and all other local governments in the state are not appendages of the state assembly. They are independent tiers of government enshrined in our constitution and recently authoritatively pronounced by Nigeria’s highest court,”
“We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as all governors and political leaders, to ensure that the autonomy secured through the ruling of the supreme court is implemented in full. It is imperative that all local government officials are empowered to perform their duties effectively, free from undue interference and control from higher levels of government.”he stated
The group commended the Governor of Lagos State,Mr Babajide Sanwo Olu for his swift intervention, affirming separation of powers of all the arms of government and the independence of local government, stating that if not for the governor’s proactive and timely intervention, the monumental abomination of Lagos State House of Assembly could have laid a bad and unforgettable precedent, thereby giving President Tinubu a bad name where ordinarily he should have claimed credit and probably set Lagos on fire and create unnecessary distraction for Governor Sanwo Olu that is busy thinking on how to move Lagos forward.
While imploring the governor to continue in his efforts in defending and promoting the hard earned autonomy of local government throughout the state, saying it is essential to create an environment where local authorities can operate freely and make decisions that directly benefits the communities as it will empower the Chairmen to enhance service delivery and improve quality of life for all the residents.
“Political leaders, particularly the leadership of State Assemblies and the Governors with vested interests, must recognize that local governments are not mere extensions of state authority, but rather autonomous entities that are vital to fostering development, enhancing accountability, and improving service delivery to our citizens.
“We emphasize that respecting local government autonomy is not only a legal obligation but also a moral imperative that contributes to national cohesion and development as well as the enhancement of fiscal federalism that we have clamoured for decades.”he stated.
He opined that as an organization dedicated in promoting good governance,the group is calling the governor to quickly engage with stakeholders at all levels so as to ensure that local government autonomy is respected and upheld so as to work together to build a stronger, more accountable local government system that reflects the needs and aspirations of the communities.
Lending his voice, the Executive Director Campaign Against lmpunity, Comrade Shina Loremikan stated that the Lagos State Assembly has failed in its responsibility in giving the people the required democracy.
“There is a serious attempt to subjugate the local governments under the authority of the state assembly in Lagos state to the extent that, judging by the current shenanigans of constitutional amendments to local government administration in Lagos state currently being undertaken by the Lagos state House of Assembly, the control of markets is to be taken away from local governments and put under the purview of Lagos State House of Assembly. How ridiculous! How could a legislative arm want to take over the executive responsibilities of a local government that has elected executive councils complete with its own legislative arm?
“Authorities in Lagos have over the years allowed LAHA to cross the line of “decency” and this has given rise to a legislature that is usurping the powers of Governor and the LGs . Is Lagos House of Assembly bigger than the people who elected LG Chairmen or their councils who have the legal powers to remove an erring Chairman? This is utter nonsense, arbitrariness, ignorance, hypocrisy, arrogance, incompetence, recklessness and lawlessness!
“How can a House of Assembly be purporting to do this and defending it? They have been getting away with this nonsense in the past but enough is enough! Even the issue of market control which led to the purported suspension of the Alimosho LG chairman is squarely on the residual list reserved for LG’s legislative arm. What is the business of a state assembly dabbling into that?,he said
Also,the Executive Director ldeal Society Advocacy Group, Comrade Elijah Ajanu Ojo urges the legislatures to obey the rule of law, stating that the said matter is already in court, therefore the status quo should be obeyed and allow due process to be followed.
“He said,the matter is already in court before the suspension,so ..,let us allow the law to carry its course so that we can continue to set good precedence and not bad precedence for the society”
It will be recalled that on Monday, the Lagos State House of Assembly suspended Hon. Jelili Sulaimon, Chairman of Alimosho LGA, for “non-compliance, defiance and unyielding attitude
The House announced at the October 7 plenary that the suspension was indefinite and would take effect immediately.
