A socio-cultural group, De Renaissance Patriots Foundation, has urged the Lagos State House of Assembly to ensure full financial autonomy for local governments in the state.
Th group said local councils cannot function effectively without control over their constitutionally designated revenue sources.
The group raised these concerns in response to a proposed amendment to the Lagos State Law on Local Government Administration, currently under discussion in the Assembly.
In a letter dated October 22, 2024, and addressed to the Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa, De Renaissance Patriots stressed that the Supreme Court’s decisions and the Nigerian Constitution guarantee the autonomy of local governments, including their revenue-generating functions.
The group argued that any attempt to amend local government laws without restoring these roles and revenue sources to the councils would undermine their ability to operate independently.
The foundation convened an emergency meeting on October 18, 2024, where it highlighted several issues with the proposed amendment, particularly regarding the reorganization of local government structures.
Although the bill seeks to revert the number of local government areas (LGAs) from 57 to the constitutionally recognized 20, it introduces a controversial provision for 37 new Area Administrative Councils (AACs) to replace the Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).
The AACs would be led by administrative secretaries appointed by the governor and confirmed by the House of Assembly, a move the group criticized as perpetuating unconstitutional practices.
The group’s letter, signed by Professor Iliyas Adele Jinadu, Chairman of its Board of Trustees, and supported by Major General Tajudeen Olanrewaju, a former Minister of Communications, along with other trustees, emphasized that the Lagos State government has violated the constitutional roles and revenue rights of local governments since 1999.
“The Local Governments in Lagos State will not be fully autonomous until the State Assembly legislates and passes a law allowing Local Governments to collect revenue from their statutory sources, including tenement rates, advertisement charges, market rates, and motor park tolls,” the letter stated.
De Renaissance Patriots referenced the recent Supreme Court ruling in AG Federation vs. AG Abia State and Others (2024) LPELR-62576 (SC), which reaffirmed the constitutional autonomy of local governments.
The group argued that the bill’s provision allowing the state government to deduct allocations from the federal government for local councils contradicts this ruling.
The foundation also outlined a 22-point observation of the proposed bill, addressing specific constitutional inconsistencies and advocating for a clear legislative framework that aligns with the Nigerian Constitution.
Among their concerns, the group called for the legislative process for passing bye-laws within local councils to require a two-thirds majority of council members, ensuring democratic governance at the local level.
De Renaissance Patriots stressed the importance of aligning state laws with constitutional provisions to empower local governments effectively.
They also called for the rectification of past infractions on local government autonomy, urging the Assembly to restore the full rights and responsibilities of local councils as outlined in the 1999 Constitution.
The group’s leaders, including retired generals, justices, professors, and senior professionals, emphasized that only through such measures can local governments in Lagos operate efficiently and deliver essential services to the public.
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