Stop Blaming Tinubu, Focus on States, LGs — Lagos Lawmaker

Stop Blaming Tinubu, Focus on States, LGs — Lagos Lawmaker

A member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Temitope Adewale, has urged Nigerians—particularly councillors—to hold local government chairmen accountable for governance and service delivery at the grassroots level.

Adewale, who represents Ifako-Ijaiye Constituency I, made the call during an interview on Sunday in Lagos, stressing that Nigeria’s governance challenges cannot be solved by the Federal Government alone.

He referenced the landmark 2024 Supreme Court judgment which granted full financial autonomy to Nigeria’s 774 local governments, mandating that allocations from the Federation Account be paid directly to councils rather than routed through state governments.

The apex court ruling also barred state governors from withholding or tampering with local government funds and reaffirmed that only democratically elected councils are entitled to manage such allocations. (Independent Newspaper Nigeria)

According to Adewale, the judgment has significantly increased financial inflows to local governments and created an opportunity for real development at the grassroots.

“It is wrong to place all the blame on the President. Governors and council chairmen must complement federal efforts,” he said.

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The lawmaker noted that since President Bola Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, allocations to local governments have improved, aided by reforms supporting direct funding and fiscal transparency.

He commended the Federal Government for enforcing local government autonomy, describing it as a major step toward deepening Nigeria’s federal system and ensuring that development reaches rural communities.

“The President ensured councils get allocations directly, enabling development from the grassroots,” he said.

“You will notice governors no longer receive funds on behalf of councils, leading to increased infrastructure and development projects across local governments.”

Adewale, however, warned that financial autonomy alone would not translate into development without strong accountability mechanisms.

He urged councillors to actively monitor the use of public funds and demand transparency from local government chairmen.

“Councillors must hold chairmen accountable and ensure public funds are properly spent,” he said, adding that they must be bold enough to challenge cases of misappropriation.

Experts have noted that while the Supreme Court ruling represents a major shift, local governments still face challenges such as weak financial systems, low internally generated revenue, and poor accountability structures, which could undermine effective service delivery if not addressed. (Punch Newspapers)

On security, Adewale emphasized that responsibility lies with all tiers of government, not just the Federal Government.

He reiterated calls for the establishment of state police, noting that decentralised policing would improve response to insecurity at the grassroots.

“The President has been advocating state and community policing, which can help tackle insecurity effectively,” he said.

He further urged the National Assembly to fast-track legislation that would enable the creation of state police across the country.

Adewale concluded that meaningful development in Nigeria would only be achieved when local governments function effectively as the third tier of government closest to the people.

Stop Blaming Tinubu, Focus on States, LGs — Lagos Lawmaker