A Nigerian legislator has called for urgent reforms to free local government administration from state-level control, alleging that governors have “hijacked” the third tier of government and stifled development at grassroots level.
Speaking in Abuja on Sunday, Rep. Eugene Dibiagwu said local councils have been unable to perform effectively because state governments have taken over their finances and operations.
“The local government system has been kidnapped by the governors for too long and cannot function optimally,” he said during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria.
Dibiagwu, who chairs the House Committee on Regional Development Commissions and Amnesty Programme, said he has sponsored a bill seeking full autonomy for local governments. The bill has already reached second reading in the House of Representatives.
He explained that the legislation aims to ensure that federal allocations go directly to local councils rather than being channelled through states, which often decide how the funds are spent.
“It is crucial that local governments are made fully independent,” he said. “This will guarantee effective administration and service delivery.”
Commenting on the Supreme Court decision granting financial autonomy to local councils, Dibiagwu said the National Assembly is preparing a legal framework to enforce compliance.
“We want to give the ruling the force of law,” he said. “That way, no government can claim ignorance or violate local government rights without consequences.”
The lawmaker dismissed claims that the assembly merely endorses presidential decisions without scrutiny.
“It is unfortunate when people call the National Assembly a rubber stamp,” he said. “Working collaboratively with the executive for the good of the country should not be seen as weakness. If a proposal benefits Nigerians, we debate it and support it.”
