Mohammed Shosanya
TFederal House of Representatives on Tuesday, July 9, directed the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to suspend allocations from the Federation Account to local government areas across Nigeria governed by unelected officials.
This was sequel to a motion of urgent public importance brought to the House by Hon. Ademorin Kuye (APC, Lagos) and Jonathan Gaza Gbewfi on the need to address the refusal of state government across the country to uphold democratic principles in local government and financial impropriety in local government.
The House called on the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to establish a dedicated account for the allocation funds destined for local governments governed by unelected officials.
These funds will be held until elected representatives are installed by their respective state governments.
Besides,the House has directed the Attorney-General of the Federation to initiate legal proceedings against any state government that prematurely terminates the tenure of a local government council.”
Moving the motion, Hon. Kuye said Section 7 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, guarantees the system of local government run by democratically elected officials while state governments are to ensure their existence.
According to him, the same section mandates every State House of Assembly to enact laws governing the establishment, tenure, structure, composition, finance, and functions of local councils.
He emphasized that local government, as envisioned by the constitution, is the most crucial tier of government because it is closest to the people and serves as the foundation for both state and federal governance.
He said, “In December 2023, the Senate passed a resolution to cease allocations to certain states following debates prompted by a motion from Senate Minority Leader Senator Abba Moro. The motion emphasized the critical necessity of halting the erosion of democracy within local governments.
Several Senators advocated government sanctions against states that have undermined democratic processes by installing unelected caretaker committees.”
They said:”The dissolution of democratically elected councils blatantly violates Section 7 of the Nigerian Constitution, established Supreme Court rulings on such matters, and represents a direct assault on democratic principles.”
“The prevalence of states acting with impunity and disregarding the constitution is on the rise, with reports indicating that at least 21 state governors are currently overseeing local government councils through caretaker committees.
“The flagrant impunity and blatant disregard for the constitution are deliberate attempts to undermine democracy, hinder accountability and transparency at the local government level, and stifle their developmental potential.”