Nigerians should take up the responsibility of prevailing on state governments over issue of granting autonomy to local government, the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has said.

Speaking to journalists at the weekend in Lagos, he said pressure should no longer brought upon the National Assembly since it has already taken an unambiguous stand on the matter.

“In summary, the issue of autonomy for our local government is an issue on which the National Assembly has already taken a position.

“We voted in support of local government autonomy in the previous attempt to amend our Constitution. It is an issue that Nigerians should take up with the state government rather than the National Assembly,” Bamidele stated.

The issue of LG autonomy is the subject of litigation at the Supreme Court between the Federal Government and the 36 state governors in the country.

The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), had on behalf of the Federal Government, filed the suit against the governors, demanding full autonomy for local governments as the three tiers of government in the country.

The AGF is also seeking an order restraining state governors from unilaterally, and unlawfully dissolving democratically elected local government leaders, among others.

But the apex court, on June 13, reserved judgment in the suit.

Justice Garba Lawal, said the parties in the matter that they would be communicated once the judgment is ready, announced the reservation of the judgment after a seven-man panel of the apex court had taken adoption of processes filed by Fagbemi, on behalf of the Federal Government and those of the governors.

The AGF asked the court to grant all the reliefs sought by the Federal Government in the suit, while  the governors, through their respective state Attorneys General and Commissioner for Justice, however, opposed the request asked the court to dismiss the suit.

Bamidele explained that the issue of granting full autonomy borders on the amendment of the constitution which requires two thirds support of the 36 state Houses of Assembly.

“The truth about it is that it is an issue that will require a constitutional amendment.

“No amendment to our Constitution can sail through without the support of the two-thirds of the state Houses of Assembly.

“Our governors have a role to play in resolving this issue. Personally, I am for local government autonomy. I am also for the state police as well.

“I am convinced that it is the right thing to do. It is the way to go. It is also consistent with the global best practice,” he stressed.

He also spoke on the need for state police so as to boost internal security and allow the military to concentrate on its primary assignment of protecting the sovereignty of the country.

“In order to protect our military; ensure they concentrate on their constitutional roles and safeguarding territorial integrity and sovereignty of this country, there is a need to have a state police that will help strengthen our internal security so that our military forces can return to their traditional roles,” Bamidele stated.