The debate over local government autonomy in Nigeria remains a critical issue in 2024. A senior political analyst from the University of Ibadan stated, "Despite our constitution's provisions, many local governments struggle to operate independently from state control. This disconnect between law and practice is hindering effective governance at the grassroots level."
According to Independent, Senator Adewale Adeyemi recently addressed the Senate, saying, "We call on President Tinubu's administration to urgently tackle the obstacles hindering local government autonomy. Our local councils must be empowered to address pressing issues like security, unemployment, and infrastructure decay."
Dr. Amina Bello, a governance expert, argued for a comprehensive review: "We need a national conference to address the constitutional barriers to true autonomy. Only then can our local governments effectively serve their communities and drive development from the ground up."
Governor Chukwuma Soludo emphasized the importance of resolving this issue: "Achieving genuine local government autonomy is crucial for Nigeria's development. It's time we translate constitutional provisions into reality, enabling our local councils to drive grassroots development."