News

“Electoral Reform Half Hour” on NTA News 24 recently spotlighted the critical issue of local government autonomy in Nigeria. The episode, which aired on August 24, 2024, featured Hon. Shaba Ibrahim, a former member of the House of Representatives, who provided valuable insights into the challenges faced by local governments, particularly in the context of electoral reforms and autonomy.

Hon. Shaba Ibrahim emphasized the pressing issue of local government autonomy, highlighting that many local governments in Nigeria function more as extensions of their state governments rather than as independent entities. According to Hon. Shaba, “Most local governments are being run like appendages of their respective state governments, and to that extent, they lack independence and initiative.” This lack of autonomy, he argued, hinders their ability to effectively meet the needs of their communities.

The discussion also explored the effectiveness of State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) in conducting local government elections. Hon. Ibrahim pointed out that, except for a few states like Kaduna, SIECs often fail to ensure transparency and fairness in the electoral process, leading to predetermined outcomes that undermine the democratic process.

He further discussed the potential benefits and challenges of INEC conducting local government elections. While acknowledging that INEC may be relatively better equipped to handle elections than SIECs, Hon. Ibrahim expressed concerns about INEC’s effectiveness and highlighted the need for significant restructuring to strengthen its operations.

The program also explored the concept of holding all elections on the same day, a proposal currently gaining traction in the National Assembly. Hon. Ibrahim supported the idea, citing its potential to reduce the bandwagon effect that often influences subsequent elections. However, he cautioned that logistical challenges would need to be addressed to ensure the success of such an initiative.

Reflecting on his long-term vision for local governments in Nigeria, Hon. Ibrahim expressed a desire to see local governments that are significantly free from state government influence. He emphasized the importance of financial and political autonomy for local governments to effectively address issues such as insecurity and poverty at the grassroots level.

The program concluded with a call for continued efforts to secure both financial and political autonomy for local governments, recognizing that this would be essential for fostering development and improving governance at the grassroots level.

WATCH HERE