Grassroots advocacy group CISLAC calls for greater power to local governments and reinforced traditional institutions for improved governance.

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and the Pan African Strategic and Policy Research Group (PANAFSTRAG) recently organised a stakeholders' roundtable, themed "Strengthening Local Government Autonomy and Formalising the Role of Traditional Institutions". The event, which had a sub-theme, "What Next After the Zaria Declaration?", was aimed at discussing ways to address the challenges facing local governance in Nigeria.

The roundtable was chaired by Tosin Kolade, and various speakers shared their insights on the topic. Retired Gen. Olasehinde Williams, the Executive Director of PANAFSTRAG, highlighted the need to address constitutional gaps in Nigeria to strengthen local governance. He emphasised that traditional institutions could play a significant role in promoting development at the grassroots level, as demonstrated by the National Revolutionary Council (Conseil national de la Révolution, CNR) of Burkina Faso under Thomas Sankara, through the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (Comités de défense de la révolution, CDR).

Dr Chris Ngara, Director of Democracy and Governance at the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, urged citizens to demand the implementation of existing court rulings on local government autonomy. He emphasised that tackling poverty, insecurity, exclusion, and inequality in Nigeria requires starting from the grassroots by dismantling elite capture and reviving local governments as engines of development and service delivery.

Dr Umar Dahiru, Head of Local Government and Development Studies at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, stressed the need for political, financial, and administrative independence for local governments. He called for the full implementation of the Supreme Court judgement granting absolute autonomy to local governments. Dahiru also criticised the practice of state governments paying traditional rulers, stating that it makes them loyal to politicians rather than their communities.

CISLAC Executive Director, Mr Auwal Rafsanjani, identified the absence of a clear governance framework, erosion of fiscal and administrative autonomy, and lack of transparency as major challenges weakening local government. He accused some state governments of using State Independent Electoral Commissions to install cronies who help siphon funds meant for local councils.

The article was published by an entity that has recently published articles on education, sports, economy/business, and a call for restructuring the education sector. The publication of this article underscores the growing concern about the state of local governance in Nigeria and the need for action to strengthen it. As the country continues to grapple with issues of poverty, insecurity, and inequality, the revival of local governments as engines of development and service delivery is crucial. The roundtable discussion provides a stepping stone towards achieving this goal, and it is hoped that the recommendations made will be taken seriously by all stakeholders.

Grassroots advocacy group CISLAC calls for greater power to local governments and reinforced traditional institutions for improved governance.