Local Government Autonomy Is Beneficial For Democracy – Lawyer

Channels Tv

The local government autonomy that the Nigerian Senate approved on Wednesday has been described as something that will be beneficial to Nigeria’s democracy despite reports that governors are kicking against it.

On Channels Television’s programme, Sunrise Daily, on Friday, a Lawyer, Boye Leyimu, said that the governors of the states had kicked against the approved autonomy because it would erode their influence and promote devolution of power at state level.

He pointed out that the local governments were closer to the grassroots and stressed that the local government’s direct access to funds from the Federal Government would promote development.

Mr Leyimu, however, emphasised the need for accountability in the local government level to ensure that funds appropriated for development would not be embezzled.

He said: “Ideally there is nothing wrong with local governments enjoying autonomy, especially if the people that run the local government have commitment, vision and if they are disciplined people.

“But unfortunately that is not the case. Governors are fighting it because they know that it will reduce their influence in that state, because rebellious local government chairmen could be a source of instability.

“The way the system is working right now, the governor is like a demi-god and with the autonomy, the local government may be difficult for the governors to control.

“If funds can go directly to the local governments it will be a good thing because governors and parties tamper with monies meant for development,” Mr Leyimu, who was once a local government chairman elected as an independent candidate said.

Maintenance of roads and other social amenities has been poor and Mr Leyimu attributed it to the fact that local governments do not have control over their funds.

Attorney General Role

In the constitution amendment process, the Senate approved the establishment of the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Attorney General of a State separate from the Minister of Justice and Commissioner of Justice.

Mr Boyo said that the separation of the office of the Minister of Justice and the Attorney General was a good idea, as “the Attorney Generals will now begin to exercise their functions in the true sense of what the office entails”.

Before now, most occupants of the office had had difficulties balancing the role of the functions of the Attorney General, which is as a lawyer and that of a Minister of Justice, which is that of a politician.

“Strictly speaking, most occupants in that position have tended to behave more like a politician rather than a lawyer that they are.

“We will have more of honest advice being given by the occupants of the office of the Attorney General.

“When you put the offices together and you have to function in two offices as it were and you are not an independent minded person with the respect and confidence of the people that you are supposed to be advising, political considerations tend to override the consideration of giving legal advice,” he said.

“Regularly there is always that conflict, as they are expected to act as a politician and as a lawyer.

He said that although there are bound to be conflict and competition at the initial stage, but explained that “after a while they will settle in and understand their proper roles”.

“The overriding consideration is that if you are acting strictly as a professional, you will give advice but it is not for you to compel the people you are giving advice to to take your advice,” he added.