“People shouldn’t be afraid of their government. Governments should be afraid of their people.” Alan Moore, V for Vendetta

Some days ago I came across a video, that went viral on social media, of an indigene of Akoka in Edo State, who was visible vexed when he inspected a road construction in his area that was of very poor quality (See link below). A few days later, the deputy governor of the state responded to the video by visiting the site and revoking the contract.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAyvKm4s6kw

This incident exemplifies the type of response we should be getting from our government officials.
And to look at it from another angle, it buttresses the essence of having an effective Local Government system in the country; a system of making governance really local…proximal…closer to the governed.

The localization of governance via the 774 LGA’s is essential to guarantee that government officials are close to and do not lose touch with people and their needs. Such structure is essential in a democratic system.

The Local Government Administration is the third tier of government in Nigeria and the 1999 constitution has assigned functions, responsibilities and controls to this tier of government; which include pre-school, primary and adult education, provision and maintenance of the public health system, making economic recommendations to the State, collection of taxes and fees, establishment, maintenance and regulation of markets, motor parks and public conveniences, construction and maintenance of roads, streets, drains and other public highways, provision and maintenance of public transportation, registration of births, deaths and marriages, and assessment of privately owned houses or tenements for the purpose of levying such rates as may be prescribed by the House of Assembly of a State, among other functions.
These functions truth be told are foundational to the establishment of a thriving society, and if effectively executed will reduce the cases of misgovernance and the social problems we see prevalent today… because the officials will be closer to the people, and that in itself is a means of ensuring accountability. This is why Calvin Coolidge, a former US president said “What we need is not more Federal government, but better local governments.

So why are our Local Government Area’s not functional???

Any stable system just like building a house is best done from the bottom up, and in our current democracy we need to have a functional Local Government system and establish it as the foundation of governance.
For that to happen Governors need to whittle down their overarching influence and interference on the LGA administration. It is surprising that the same Governors who complain of the dictatorial tendencies of the President have established themselves as emperors and demi-gods in their states. Remember the Excess Crude Oil Account (ECA) battles with former President Goodluck Jonathan to the struggle with President Buhari over financial autonomy of the judiciary and State assembly, Governors have accused Presidents of acting autocratic only to turn around and become despots themselves.
We see these interferences in LGA affairs in two key areas:
Electoral mandate – Since the establishment of State INEC’s, have we ever had elections where the will of the people was respected in electing Local Government Chairpersons and Councillors? And how many times have we seen newly elected Governors upon resumption dissolve LGA administrations and in their place appoint caretaker committees! And this is done despite the many Supreme Court judgements describing such actions as illegal.
How can LGA officials fully execute the responsibilities of their office when the system that brought them in can be considered akin to an appointment and add to that the fluidity of their tenures!!!
Finances – Section 162(6-8) of the 1999 Constitution states that “Each State shall maintain a special account to be called ‘State Joint Local Government Account’ into which shall be paid all allocations to the Local Government Councils of the State from the Federation Account and from the Government of the State. Each State shall pay to Local Government Councils in its area of jurisdiction such proportion of its total revenue on such terms and in such manner as may be prescribed by the National Assembly…
LGA’s are entitled to their full allocation from which the elected officials are meant to carry out the responsibilities, but how can this be achieved when they only receive ‘pocket money’ at the discretion of the governor!!!
The Federal Government has tried different means to circumvent joint State/Local Government accounts so monies meant for the LGA’s get to them directly, but as long as State INEC’s are subject to the dictates of Governors and there is no protection for LGA officials who want to take a stand against this – nothing will change.
This is why we have primary health care centers in shambles, basic primary education almost non-existent, LGA workers owed salaries month on end – and all these happening more pronounced in our state.
If our Governors truly want the system to work, give the people the freedom to choose those they want to represent them, and in addition let them have their financial due – afterwards set up a system of accountability where the officials that fail to deliver on their mandate and mismanage resources are prosecuted. Remember unlike Governors who have immunity – Local Govt. Chairmen/Chairwomen and Councillors have no immunity from prosecution.
And add to these a continuous enlightenment of the people on the roles each tier of government plays so we know where to channel complaints when failure in delivery of our rights are observed.
Due to the closeness of LGA’s to the people, it is easier for the people to hold their officials accountable…that is why I titled this article face me I face you. The closer you are to me, the easier I can hold you to deliver on promises made. And given that politics is local, where you wan hide when I fit waka go your papa house?
As an added incentive, Local Government systems in all established democracies are a good training ground for future state and national leaders.
This closeness to the people is the main reason why our Local Government administrations need to be strengthened…it forces vigilance on the follower, accountability on the leader and provides an environment for tomorrows leaders to be groomed in the art of governance.

Alfred Dapal Damiyal

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Opinion: A World in Transition: Face me I face you – By Alfred Dapal Damiyal