Abuja: The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has urged for the revitalization of traditional institutions and the restoration of local government autonomy to enhance grassroots development. CISLAC Executive Director, Mr. Auwal Rafsanjani, emphasized this need during a stakeholders' roundtable held in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the event, themed 'Strengthening Local Government Autonomy and Formalising the Role of Traditional Institutions', was co-organized by CISLAC and the Pan African Strategic and Policy Research Group (PANAFSTRAG). Rafsanjani highlighted the absence of a clear governance framework, the erosion of fiscal and administrative autonomy, and a lack of transparency as significant challenges undermining local governments.
Rafsanjani pointed out the vulnerability and underrepresentation of communities due to weakened traditional institutions, which lack legal backing and clarity in their roles. He noted that this weakening contributes to rising criminality and stressed the importance of empowering local governments for tackling poverty, insecurity, exclusion, and inequality.
Retired Gen. Olasehinde Williams, Executive Director of PANAFSTRAG, emphasized addressing Nigeria's constitutional gaps to strengthen local governance. He criticized the Federal Government's involvement in roles meant for state and local governments and condemned state governments' practice of paying traditional rulers, which he argued compromises their loyalty to their communities.
Dr. Chris Ngara, Director of Democracy and Governance at the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, urged citizens to demand the implementation of court rulings on local government autonomy. He stressed the need for active citizen engagement to change the current trend.
Dr. Umar Dahiru, Head of Local Government and Development Studies at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, called for political, financial, and administrative independence for local governments. He accused some state governments of using State Independent Electoral Commissions to install cronies who siphon funds meant for local councils and advocated for the full implementation of the Supreme Court judgement granting absolute autonomy to local governments.