Olusegun Adeyemo
The Lagos State House of Assembly has urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to mandate the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to develop a framework for the independent financing of local government legislatures.
The House also called on the governor to support council autonomy and ensure the training of councillors on financial management.
The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Mr Ganiu Sanni (Kosofe I) at Tuesday’s plenary, which was presided over by the Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa.
Commenting on the motion, Obasa emphasised the need for the financial independence of local government legislatures to strengthen grassroots democracy and governance.
The Speaker expressed concern over the alleged retention of financial control by former local government chairmen in some councils through council managers and treasurers.
He said the problem persisted because ex-council chairmen remained signatories to accounts even after leadership transitions.
The Speaker also called on stakeholders to take action to correct the anomaly.
Speaking, Sanni said the 1999 Constitution recognises the legislative arm at the local government level as a key pillar of democratic governance.
He explained that the arm of government was saddled with law-making, oversight, and representation.
“However, local government legislatures currently rely on the executive arm for funding.
“This is a practice that undermines separation of powers and exposes councillors to undue executive influence,” he said.
Other lawmakers also spoke in support of the motion.
Solomon Bonu (Badagry I) commended President Bola Tinubu for strengthening grassroots democracy.
Desmond Elliot (Surulere I) said the assembly’s reform efforts would be incomplete without granting autonomy to local government legislatures.
On his part, Nureni Akinsanya added that financial autonomy would empower institutions to function responsibly without external interference.
Akinsanya noted that the Lagos State Assembly would continue to lead by example in legislative practice.
The Assembly thereafter directed its Committee on Local Government Administration, Chieftaincy Affairs, and Rural Development to begin work on enacting a self-accounting law for the legislative arms of the councils.