National Telescope national telescope newspaper
By Christie Doyin
The Supreme Court of Nigeria, in a decision considered as a landmark in many quarters, has granted autonomy to local governments in Nigeria, a move also hailed as a potential catalyst for grassroots development.
Reverend Cornelius Fawenu, Chairman of Partners for Peaceful Co-existence Centre, of the National Peace Committee has called upon civil society groups to remain vigilant to ensure that Nigerians are the ultimate beneficiaries of this historic ruling.
Fawenu commended the Supreme Court for its decision, describing it as a crucial step towards alleviating the hardships experienced by citizens due to lack of autonomy at the local governments level.
He noted that for too long, local governments have functioned as mere extensions of state governments, stifling development and efficient governance at the grassroots.
He added that the autonomy, if properly managed, could significantly change the narrative of local governments development in Nigeria.
“The Supreme Court deserves commendation for doing the needful. The lack of autonomy for the third tier of government, which is the closest level of governance to the people, has brought untold hardship on the people,” Fawenu stated.
“Now that the ball is in the court of the masses, we must be on top of the game of electing competent hands to manage the affairs of the local government areas.”
Rev. Fawenu urged stakeholders to ensure the new system works effectively and productively.
He reiterated that while laws should reflect the good of the majority, their success ultimately depends on the morality and integrity of those who implement them.
He cautioned against allowing unscrupulous elements to hijack the autonomous local government system, emphasising the need for civil society groups to actively participate in monitoring and ensuring transparency in local government elections.
“As we celebrate the prospect of a supposed ‘good law,’ all the citizenry, particularly civil society groups, must be concerned and sufficiently involved to prevent unscrupulous elements from hijacking the new autonomous local government system,” he said.
“The best way to do that is to make sure each local community ensures that people with character, capacity, and competence who are politically enlightened and close to the people are the ones voted into power.”
With the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) expected to oversee local government elections across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas, Rev. Fawenu called for heightened vigilance.
He warned against the potential centralisation of power and the risk of transforming Nigeria into a one-party state, urging civil society to monitor the Federal Government’s involvement in local elections.
“It is said that absolute power corrupts absolutely. This new development must not be allowed to make the Federal Government become too powerful as to turn Nigeria into a one-party state,” he warned.
