Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North in Nigeria’s Senate, has endorsed the financial autonomy of local governments.
The Supreme Court’s landmark ruling on July 11, 2024, affirmed the financial independence of local government administrations across the country.
Speaking at a forum organized by the House of Representatives on local government autonomy on Monday, December 2, Oshiomhole highlighted the significance of decentralized governance in promoting accountability and fostering development at the grassroots level.
Oshiomhole, a former governor of Edo State, explained the necessity of character and responsibility in governance, particularly at the local government level, where leaders are closest to the people they serve.
He called for judicious resource allocation toward essential public services, including road construction, healthcare facilities, and other critical infrastructure, stressing the potential for transformative impact when local governments are empowered to manage their finances independently.
Oshiomhole said, “It’s better to have 774 local government chairmen who are thieves than one big thief.” The senator explained his reasoning by stating that when financial resources are distributed among local governments, every region in Nigeria would have the opportunity to benefit from development initiatives.
He added that this decentralized structure would create opportunities for multiple local successes rather than concentrating power and wealth in the hands of a single corrupt individual at the state level.
He also urged local government chairmen to rise to the challenge by prioritizing the welfare of their communities and fostering transparency in their operations.
