AUTONOMY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES IN NIGERIA: A MIRAGE OR A REALITY?

Abstract

Federalism is a system of government anchored on devolution of powers between the central government and the federating units with each sphere of governance enjoying autonomy to perform its responsibilities without any interference from other tiers of government. Nigeria as a federal state has powers divided amongst the federal government, state government and local government. The local government is the government closest to the people and is often called the grassroots government. This research examined whether the autonomy of local government in Nigeria is a mirage or reality. In carrying out this research, doctrinal research methodology was employed. Both primary and secondary sources of data were used in the course of the research. Primary sources of data used include the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999(as amended); relevant statutes and case laws, while the secondary sources of data employed are text books, journal articles and internet materials. The research found that there are several factors militating against local government autonomy in Nigeria which include the constitutional powers of the state government over the existence and affairs of the local government; use of caretaker committee to run the affairs of the local government instead of elected local council, among others. Recently, it took the intervention and interpretation of the Supreme Court to get so many State Governments to commence the process of election of Chairman and Counselors into the Local Governments within their states. When the Local Government elections are concluded, the issues of finances and federal allocations due to the Local Government but mostly erstwhile managed by the State Government would be another issue to contend with. The research therefore answered the question posed about to the effect that local government autonomy in Nigeria is a mirage. The research recommended that the Constitution should be amended to in no unclear terms remove the Local Governments from the apron strings of the state governments and that there should be heavy sanctions on State Governments and persons running the affairs of the Local Government Councils in their states with appointed caretaker committees. This would give room for a clearer legal framework for the independent operation of the Local Government Administration in Nigeria.