Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Lasun Yusuf, has labeled the Federal Government’s initiative to seek autonomy for Local Governments as a deceptive maneuver.
In a conversation with our reporter in Osogbo over the weekend, the ex-legislator argued that the recent ruling from the Supreme Court would be futile unless the underlying constitutional issues are properly resolved.
Yusuf suggested that rather than approaching the Supreme Court, the Attorney General of the Federation should have introduced a legislative bill to amend the relevant constitutional provisions.
“Under Nigeria’s constitution, it is the states that are empowered to establish local governments. States also have the authority to shape their structure and governance. The same constitution outlines the creation of a joint account committee and establishes an independent electoral commission for each state. Since these provisions remain unaltered, seeking financial autonomy through the courts seems misguided,” he stated.
He further criticized President Tinubu’s approach, asserting, “There’s nothing substantive in this pursuit. If anyone claims otherwise, they should clarify how this arrangement will function. It seems designed to complicate matters, leaving everyone bewildered while people simply accept whatever is presented.”
Yusuf condemned the federal government’s decision to litigate this issue, characterizing the Attorney General’s actions as inappropriate. “The notion that there is an order in this situation is misleading, as local government matters are clearly defined within the Nigerian constitution.”
He continued, “Aside from its mention in the constitution, the governance of local governments fundamentally lies with the states, raising an unanswered question: Are we operating with two tiers or three tiers of government? This question has not been resolved.”
Asserting that the Supreme Court’s ruling lacks clarity, Yusuf questioned, “What financial autonomy are we discussing? How can financial independence be granted when the constitution dictates that local government establishment, structure, and administration are determined by state legislatures?”
He called for clarity regarding the constitution’s provisions, asking, “Has the section stating that each state must have an independent electoral commission been amended? Such commissions are necessary for conducting local government elections.”
Yusuf concluded by expressing his disbelief at the federal government’s court action, stating, “I wondered about the roles of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice in this matter. They should have focused on drafting a bill to amend all relevant sections of the constitution regarding local governance.”
