Fashola Insists Local Government Autonomy Unrealistic Under Current Constitution

Amid renewed calls for local government autonomy in Nigeria, former Lagos State Governor and ex-Minister of Power, Works, and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, has said it is unrealistic to expect local governments to operate independently under the current constitutional structure.

Fashola made this assertion during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise programme on Saturday, where he addressed the increasing agitation for grassroots governance reform.

He argued that the framework of the 1999 Constitution places local governments under the control of state governments and legislatures, thereby undermining any claim to autonomy.

“The debate we must have is whether we truly want autonomous local governments. As it stands today, it is unrealistic to expect autonomy for local governments created by the Constitution,” Fashola said.

He explained that since state Houses of Assembly are responsible for making laws governing local councils, the level of external influence from the state structure is too significant for local governments to function independently.

According to him, the arrangement contradicts the principle of autonomy and makes local governments administrative arms of state governments rather than independent governance units.

Fashola, who served as Minister under the Buhari administration, noted that unless there is a collective national decision to reform the Constitution and redefine the status of local governments, the aspiration for their autonomy will remain unattainable.

His comments come as advocacy for local government reform grows stronger across the country, with many pushing for financial independence, improved service delivery, and more accountable leadership at the grassroots.

Despite this, constitutional hurdles remain a major challenge to actualizing full autonomy.

Legal experts and civil society groups have repeatedly called for amendments to the Constitution to empower local governments as a third tier of government with clear administrative and fiscal independence.

However, such efforts have faced resistance from some state governments and lawmakers who view the move as an encroachment on state authority.

Fashola’s remarks add a critical voice to the ongoing debate, highlighting the constitutional complexities that must be addressed before meaningful local government reform can take place in Nigeria.