According to the report from the Vanguard, The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has expressed its commendation for the National Assembly's decision to grant full financial and administrative autonomy to all 774 local council authorities across Nigeria. This significant legislative action was achieved through an amendment to Section 124 of the nation’s constitution.
In a statement signed by Abdul Yekinn Odunayo, Clerk of the Senate, NANS National, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, NANS described the National Assembly's action as a "bold step towards freeing the LGAs from the shackles of some state governors."
Odunayo also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for involving the Supreme Court in the matter of local government autonomy. He noted that the constitutional amendment, effected by the National Assembly on Tuesday, supports President Tinubu's efforts to ensure both financial and political autonomy for local governments, which he described as "the third tier of government and the closest to the people."
Furthermore, Odunayo highlighted that by "deleting the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) from the constitution" and transferring the authority to conduct council elections to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), democracy at the grassroots level would be strengthened.
This move aims to prevent state governors from imposing their preferred candidates as local government chairpersons.
NANS expressed optimism that with the constitutional amendment, local governments will be able to function effectively and fulfill their constitutional roles in delivering good governance to the grassroots. "We, at the NANS, commend the National Assembly for amending the Constitution and granting full autonomy to the LGAs in the country," Odunayo stated.
He said, "With this, the 774 LGAs across the country will heave a sigh of relief and be free from the grasp of the state governors."
He further emphasized the importance of local government autonomy, asserting that the local governments should have "the desired freedom to discharge its duties according to the dictates of the Constitution."
He also lauded the removal of SIECs from the Constitution, stating that it would "go a long way in preventing some governors from imposing their stooges as LG chairmen."
Odunayo noted that the National Assembly's actions would support President Tinubu's efforts to ensure total autonomy for local governments, which are often managed by caretaker committees established by governors. "With this development, allocations due to each LG will go directly to it, while the issue of arbitrary dissolution of LG administrations will be put to rest," he explained.
Additionally, Odunayo highlighted that the abolition of SIECs would "enhance and strengthen democracy at the grassroots," allowing people to elect their preferred candidates for local government positions without undue interference from governors.
He expressed hope that the Supreme Court case instituted by the Federal Government against the state governments over local government autonomy would favor the Federal Government, thus protecting local government allocations from being tampered with.
In conclusion, Odunayo affirmed NANS' confidence in the President Tinubu-led administration, stating that "NANS will continue to give the necessary support to the administration to ensure it makes the desired impact on the nation."