Is Local Government Autonomy a Bargain for the 2027 Election?

Is Local Government Autonomy a Bargain for the 2027 Election? By Comrade Bamidele Lateef Atoyebi How long must we endure the temporary satisfaction of local government autonomy? When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu campaigned in 2023, We knew to achieve full LG autonomy the president must be a seasoned politician and one with political will who negotiates and take bold steps to achieve this great feats which is why many of us believed and campaigned that only President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has political ideology’s, connection and political will to achieve this after evaluating all other candidates we know president Tinubu is the only one that can make LG autonomy a reality his commitment to local government autonomy sparked hope among many Nigerians, particularly in rural areas.   It signified a potential transformation that could empower local communities, promote development, and ease the overwhelming control state governors hold over local matters. However, nearly two years into his presidency, this promise remains unfulfilled. Instead of taking decisive measures, the administration appears to be yielding to the demands of self-serving state governors, many of whom perceive local government autonomy as a threat to their political power. Critics have labeled them as "vampire politicians" who drain the resources of the very communities they were elected to support. After taking office, President Tinubu took a bold step by taking state governors to the supreme court regarding their hold on local governments. In a significant ruling, by the supreme court which is the highest court system in Nigeria upheld the constitutional right to local government autonomy, reviving hopes for genuine change.   Yet months later, Nigerians are left questioning: What is preventing the implementation of this ruling? Why is a court-backed mandate still ensnared in political stagnation? President Tinubu reaffirmed his commitment to autonomy as recently as June 2023, which rekindled optimism. Nigeria’s 774 local government areas have long been reduced to mere extensions of state governments, fostering inefficiency, corruption, and a disconnect between officials and the public. Despite his assurances and the court's endorsement, no substantial progress has been made.   This leaves us pondering: What has been negotiated for the president’s inaction? Political alliances for 2027? Legislative support? The safeguarding of elite interests? Regardless of the rationale, the burden is being shouldered by ordinary Nigerians. The 1999 Constitution guarantees a democratically elected local government system in Section 7. Undermining this is not only unconstitutional; it is also a breach of ethics. It erodes public trust and relegates millions to poverty and lack of development. Local governments are the closest tier to the people, perfectly positioned to provide essential services like rural roads, healthcare, clean water, and agricultural support.   Their weakening leads to communities lacking safe drinking water, substandard rural roads, and farmers facing neglect and isolation. Imagine a Nigeria where every ward receives N500,000 worth of agricultural resources seeds, tools, fertilizers and guaranteed access to arable land. Picture local governments repairing just 10 kilometers of rural road monthly. The outcome? Reduced food prices, enhanced rural economies, and renewed hope for forgotten communities. Autonomous local government areas could finance local security, construct boreholes, and invigorate local economies through community-focused infrastructure projects. This is crucial for curbing rural-urban migration and fostering genuine economic growth. 2027 Shouldn't Dictate the Justice of Today It’s becoming increasingly apparent that the looming 2027 elections are shaping current policies. However, succumbing to governors who fear strengthened local councils betrays those who voted for Renewed Hope. Nigeria's path to salvation lies not in Abuja or state capitals, but at the grassroots level. If President Tinubu aspires to be seen as a reformer, the time is now. He must resist pressure from state power brokers and deliver on his promise of comprehensive local government autonomy by the end of 2025. This entails: Dissolving unconstitutional caretaker committees, guaranteeing direct federal allocations to local governments, and backing constitutional amendments that shield local governments from state encroachment. Nigeria’s future isn’t dependent on grand speeches or elite negotiations; it’s rooted in rural communities, on farms, and within the everyday lives of its citizens. Local government autonomy is not merely a policy; it’s a pathway to dignity, development, and democracy.

Mr. President, time is running out. Will you yield to pressure or embrace your purpose?