By Yushau A. Shuaib —
It’s surprising and laughable that ruling events, which barely secured victories in gubernatorial elections, at the moment are successful native authorities council elections by landslides.
In some states, even events that had by no means gained elections are sweeping council seats, typically on the behest of influential governors in search of to undermine their political rivals. As an example, Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State exemplifies how one can win elections regardless of missing assist from conventional energy brokers.
The abuse of native authorities councils by state governors in Nigeria is a urgent concern that threatens the very basis of our democratic construction. Whereas the Federal Authorities ensures well timed disbursement of funds to all tiers of presidency via the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), the fact is that many governors exert undue management over native authorities sources. That is notably evident within the misuse of the State Native Authorities Joint Accounts (SLGJA), which, although supposed to streamline funding, typically develop into devices of economic manipulation on the state stage.
Recognising that the Federal Authorities ensures every tier of presidency its statutory allocations, state governors haven’t any official motive to disclaim native councils their rightful share. This was underscored by the landmark Supreme Court docket ruling on July 11, 2024, which mandated direct federal allocation for elected councils to curb gubernatorial interference in native authorities funds.
Nonetheless, with restricted entry to native authorities income after the ruling, many governors swiftly orchestrated elections to consolidate management over council positions and funds. The predictable outcomes have seen ruling events dominate the polls in almost each state. These so-called “victories” do little to encourage confidence, because the elected officers typically act as mere extensions of gubernatorial energy.
The dearth of real competitors is hardly shocking, on condition that the governor’s appointees handle every State Unbiased Electoral Fee (SIEC). The latest wave of native elections follows a transparent sample: handpicked candidates of the popular events constantly win and simply declare the titles of LG chairpersons and councillors via questionable processes, typically coordinated behind the scenes by the governors.
Whereas one may count on an outcry over the shambolic LG elections, just a few voices have raised considerations. The election statement group Yiaga Africa not too long ago highlighted the troubling growth and advisable civic training, real competitors and a clear electoral course of. Sadly, the entrenched realities make these beliefs’ suggestions nearly unattainable.
These actions of among the governors threaten to undermine the legitimacy of future elections, together with gubernatorial and presidential contests. It will not be shocking if President Bola Ahmed Tinubu confronted stress to copy this manipulative election technique of governors within the 2027 common elections. The logic is straightforward: if governors can manipulate elections to their benefit with relative ease, why shouldn’t the president do the identical on the nationwide stage?
Sadly, disobedience to courtroom orders and manipulation of native judges are equally rampant on the state stage, rendering adjudications predictable. As an example, some state-controlled courts of justice, which deal with native issues—together with conventional points and chieftaincy titles—perform as extensions of their governors, missing real impartiality and integrity.
The stronghold of governors on native governance is unmistakable, surpassing the President’s affect over state administrations as they wield important management regardless of judicial efforts to safeguard native autonomy.”
In the meantime, below Tinubu’s federal administration, the Supreme Court docket has acted as an unbiased arbiter, typically favouring opposition events. As an example, following the final common elections and rulings of tribunals, the apex courtroom upheld the victories of opposition candidates, together with Governor Abba Yusuf of the New Nigerian Peoples Occasion (NNPP) in Kano, Governor Caleb Mutfwang of the Peoples Democratic Occasion (PDP) in Plateau, and Governor Alex Otti of the Labour Occasion (LP) in Abia amongst others.
Whereas the Supreme Court docket’s mandate for direct funding is a optimistic step, governors’ continued dominance over native governments continues to be obvious. But, the Federal Authorities continues the clear disbursements of statutory allocations to states with out interference. Why can’t state governments reciprocate such by guaranteeing native governments obtain their fair proportion of internally generated income (IGR) with out additionally encroaching on their official federal allocations?
The conduct of governors could have set a worrying precedent and questioned their dedication to fiscal federalism and the ideas of native governance.
I strongly urge the Minister of Justice and Legal professional Common of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, and the Finance Minister, Mr. Wale Edun, to take decisive motion to guard native governments’ administrative and monetary rights. They have to implement mechanisms to make sure native councils have political autonomy and obtain their monetary entitlements with out the chance of misappropriation by state authorities.
Native governments have to be granted full political and financial autonomy to perform successfully because the grassroots arm of governance. The way forward for our democratic governance hinges on the equitable therapy of all tiers of presidency, guaranteeing that native councils can genuinely serve their communities with the sources they rightfully deserve.
For Nigeria’s democracy to thrive, we should maintain native elections to a better customary. Regardless of its flaws, the Unbiased Nationwide Electoral Fee (INEC) nonetheless performs higher than SIECs, whose inefficiency and bias have gotten extra obvious.
The talk over federalism versus centralisation will undoubtedly come up. Nonetheless, a stability between federal and state powers is crucial. If reforming SIECs proves unfeasible, INEC oversight could also be essential to safeguard democratic governance on the native stage.
If residents stay silent on latest flawed native elections performed by some state governments, they need to equally settle for probably compromised gubernatorial and presidential elections that the federal authorities might conduct sooner or later, presumably in 2017. In any case, what’s good for the goose is nice for the gander.
Yushau A. Shuaib, writer of PRNigeria and Financial Confidentialyashuaib@yashuaib.com
