By Ahmed Ilallah
Since the restoration of democracy in Nigeria in 1999, there has been a persistent call from certain political actors for true federalism – one that advocates a clear separation of powers across all levels of government. However, under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, state governments retain significant control over local government affairs, including the management of local council elections.
Efforts by previous administrations to grant local governments autonomy have repeatedly failed. Yet, a significant development came under the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (PBAT), when the Supreme Court issued an order granting financial autonomy to local governments. In addition to this, the court directed state governments to conduct local council elections, with a stern warning that any state failing to do so would risk losing its monthly federal allocations.
While this move has been widely celebrated by Nigerians, who see it as a step towards greater democratic participation and decentralisation, certain political figures are employing questionable tactics to subvert the ruling. These individuals, driven by self-serving interests, are using the courts to stall the process, even as some state governments rush to comply by hastening local election preparations.
Rivers State offers a striking example of this obstruction. A group of influential politicians have filed a lawsuit seeking to prevent the police from providing security for the elections and to block the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from supplying the voter register. In Kano State, a similar scenario is unfolding, where opposition parties have gone to court to stop the state’s independent electoral body from organising local council elections.
Such legal manoeuvres, though permissible under democracy, are widely seen as efforts to protect the personal interests of a few political players, rather than as genuine attempts to uphold democratic principles. The right of citizens to vote, as enshrined in the Constitution, is being undermined by these attempts to delay or derail local elections.
The broader impact of these actions is damaging to democracy in Nigeria. The use of legal and political roadblocks to frustrate local government elections not only erodes public trust in democratic institutions but also weakens the foundation of local governance, which is essential for grassroots development.
The future of local government autonomy depends not just on court rulings but on the commitment of all political actors to honour the principles of democracy and uphold the rights of the people to elect their representatives.
Ahmed Ilallah
alhajilallah@gmail.com
