December 2, 2024
By Idris Buba
The July 11, 2024, Supreme Court ruling that upheld the financial autonomy of local governments, is still eliciting commendation from concerned Nigerians.
The latest came from Senator representing the Edo North senatorial district, Adams Oshiomhole, who expressed strong support for the financial autonomy of local governments in Nigeria for effective development at the grassroots.
The former Edo stats governor, said the July 11, 2024, Supreme Court ruling that upheld the financial autonomy of local governments could not have come at a better.
READ MORE; BREAKING: Supreme Court grants LGs financial autonomy
Oshiomhole, who spoke at a forum on local government autonomy organized by the House of Representatives on Monday, emphasized the importance of character in governance and accountability.
He said, financial autonomy of local governments would spread development, “It’s better to have 774 local government chairmen who are thieves than one big thief,” stating that with autonomy every local government in Nigeria would produce one or two billionaires, as against having just one billionaire in the state.
Oshiomole, emphasized the importance of local government administration being the closest to the people and advised local council chairmen to be prudent in allocation of resources for essential infrastructure .
