msmon:
You are not wrong bro, but it has been witnessed on several occasion (especially Sundays) that we have christian related thread on FP, yet FP is for everyone..

threads in the christian section are not tagged ''for christians and for christians only''.

PATHETIC

4C2215131:
No autonomy for LGs, at least not in Nigeria. Haven't folks learned their lessons already? You want two 'independent' governments in one state? Haven't you had enough abuse from non-peforming governors already? You still hanker for another bloated eel who sees himself as the governor of his little farmland (his local government) where he now institutionalizes corrupt acts with un-bridled passion without check from an even more corrupt governor.

No! It can't happen. Not for the selfish reasons that the NGF espouse but for the predereliction of the average politician to corruption and abuse of office to the highest degree. If this goes through, the average Nigerian is finished! Kaput!

of what benefit is this to them? Gready old fools

stinggy:
See thieves! Yet they want states' autonomy.
They squander the money meant for LG by not conducting elections as stipulated by law e.g. Oyo state

serious!

What goes around comes around like a hoola hoop. The senators and the representatives of the people have spoken! Let all the governors swallow their pride and allow the Local Government which is the *closest* to the people to work! #THE AYES HAVE IT# hits my gavel.

Notice that the two governors forum factions are united on this issue, also notice that APC and PDP governors are united on this. Then you would begin to understand that they are all part of the same coin, the looting elites.

The senators and house of rep members are not in support of the autonomy ish because they care about commoners like me, they are doing this to curtail the control the Governors have over the LGAs which form the units of their senatorial zones and constituency, the same control that most governors would exercise to dethrone the senators when they(governors) are done with their eight years reign, and settle their loyalists with house of rep positions,at the expense of the current house of rep members.

They are all part of the same coin. If they care about the commoners,they should start showing that by slashing their overbloated salaries and allowances first and foremost, that alone would free enough funds to address the minimum wage salary.

They( Governors, senators and house of rep members) are only scared of losing their major source of loots, and not really about how to uplift the living standards of the people.

segzyj:
See them.... Thieves, Most especially that Mimiko, he alone is the Governor,the council chairman and the counselor of all the eighteen local govt area of Ondo State for the past five year,why won't he move against council autonomy..... You will soon meet your waterloo.... Shege

Can we all nigerians team-up against ds small folks that av hold us to ransom for so long?? I mean by gathering them in one place and ask them why they are doing all these to us..subsequently burn them alive..

those of us who believe that local government autonomy is bad for the masses might have a point but, shouldn't the shear fact that both factions of the NGF and, the supposed rival parties, APC and PDP governors are all united against this, speak volumes? in case you don't know, for the governors; LG autonomy means less funds, less power and basically much less influence. in my opinion demanding proper governance from your LG chairman than from the governor. having said that, it beholds on us the citizenry to demand accountability, transparency and proper governance from all tiers of government by all means necessary.

stinggy:

Gbabe
Telme d answer na

oyo state is in the north east zone of Nigeria

edo3:
Can we all nigerians team-up against ds small folks that av hold us to ransom for so long?? I mean by gathering them in one place and ask them why they are doing all these to us..subsequently burn them alive..

U are asking for a miracle.

The oppressed citizens are the ones voting/supporting their oppressor's in pdp/apc to continue making their lives miserable.

How can a people continue to wet the greedy appetite of the so called politicians who can not make laws nor support any Initiatives that will benefit the common man?

Why will senators/rep members need the consent of governors before they perform their legislative functions?

What is the purpose of having the legislative arm of goverment since it allows the executive arm of goverment to dictate for it on which laws to make or not? Then it should be scrapped.

The masses can now see how foolish and gullible they have been and will forever be by supporting and choosing criminals as their leader's irrespective of the political parties they belong to.

Until the masses realize that they are nothing but magas being defrauded by pdp/apc thieves called politicians, only then will a positive change
Become a reality.

Apc/pdp governors, senator's and rep members always unite to kill any law that will empower the masses but are in a hurry to make and enforce laws they directly benefits from yet gullible masses which includes the educated fools will still campaign for these I.D.I.O.T.S to keep governing over them.

A national assembly that has nvr made any law that has a direct positive impact on its citizens should be scrapped.

That reminds me, is that house not made of politicians from the opposition party that calls itself progressives? So why are they not shouting on top of their voices to have such a bill passed?

Why are the so called progressive party governors not supporting the passage of a bill that recognizes the independence of the local government which will reduce the workload of the governors and bring governance to the grassroots and also facilitate speedy development of the rural areas and the state at large?

If the politicians we clamour for are still the same one's gathering in unison to oppose laws that will bring a measure of respite to the common man then we the citizens are nothing but retards because the joke is on us.

Nigerian citizens should stop fooling around- PDP=APC ( same thieves divided into 2 gangs).

I agree with the governors. Granting autonomy to local government negate the principle of true federalism.

Arrant nonsense...in dat case, State shud be denied autonomy so we all depend on federal administration of fund policy

major466:
I agree with the governors. Granting autonomy to local government negate the principle of true federalism.

What nigeria is practicing at the moment negates the principle of true federalism.

Bringing governance down to the grassroot level can never be a negation to the principles of true federalism rather the governors who are a part of the executive arm of goverment now meddling with what is purely the functions of the legislature negates the principles of true federalism.

All the community schools here and the massive maintanance of roads and some public structures In the county here In NY are being carried out by the mayor and not by the governor. Is united states not practicing true federalism? Are they not the model of democracy we are copping bck in Nigeria?

If the mayors In united states can be saddled with so much responsibility which brings down governance to the county areas despite the state having a governor with much heavier responsibilities then why can't the local governments in Nigeria be allowed to function as it ought to be without the governors hijacking its funds but refusing to carry out its functions?

True federalism recognizes the doctrine of seperation of power which is a part of the soul of true federalism and the governors are now over-reaching themselves.

Let the legislators make the law and if the governors don't like the law because It takes away the control of local goverment funds from their hands then they should go to the judiciary and challenge it which is the standard practice in every sane society that practices true federalism.

Fantacy1:
Arrant nonsense...in dat case, State shud be denied autonomy so we all depend on federal administration of fund policy

Exactly.

All these arguments bugles down to stealing and corruption even our number
one leader said there is no corruption but stealing and very unfortunate the judiciary
are yet to differentiate between the both to us. What a pity

now we know both factional chairman of NGF are this same... greed bigot! even though the LGA hv autonomy the benefits will not reach the common man instead they will used the money to train cultists, and thugs for elections hijacked. bad boys in power!

NairaMode:
Well done.
Given them autonomy will simply improve corruption in the creeks.
Nigeria is not ripe yet. This is sad because we are even over 50.

when you see a topic but you are too young or too daft to understand it, the honourable thing to do is STFU.

jpphilips:


when you see a topic but you are too young or too daft to understand it, the honourable thing to do is STFU.

Tell your father and mother and entire family to STFU.
When you do not respect peoples right to express themselves then you are an animal.
When you do not know how to pass across a message without being insolent or condescending then you are almost insan*e.
Where is your decorum you this immature pig.
Your DP actually depicts how "infant" your mindset and reasoning capability is.

Word of advice:
You don't have to act like an animal or force your opinion on others. It paints you as someone with neurotic disorder.
Teach, criticize and pass across knowledge such that people will learn from you.

How was your night?

CFCfan:



The Governors' fears are misplaced. In the US, for instance, local governments (County and/or State) have the power to make laws (ordinances) to govern their jurisdictions. A governor cannot "suspend" a mayor, or influence the state board of elections to not conduct elections into the offices of mayor, city council, or county council.

However, I'll suggest that there should be a concurrent legislative list enumerating the powers of both the State and Local governments in certain areas. Also, in the event that an LG law clashes with a State law, the State law should have supremacy.

I'd also support direct federal allocation to the LG councils, to make them truly independent and not a mere appendage of the State governor.

Continuing with your assertions though disagreeing some of your statements, we need to make up our mind whether we prefer a unitary system or want true federalism. Direct allocation from the FG to LG is a victory for the Unitarianism and receding of federalism. That is not to say there are no abuses in the management of state joint accounts but the so-called abuses we need to ask if they are lawful. In some other federal set-up the creation, number, and rules or powers allocated to LG/Counties/boroughs emanates from state laws not from the central government.

We need to understand that our problem stems from the one size fits all approach imposed by some select wise men at the center has been the bane of our democrat experience. The local politics and social engineering has been emasculated. Why should the south-eastern states who fiercely claim to be individualistic and republican be forced to administer themselves at the local level using the organisation as the north-west states who are seen to be more conservative, laid back and take directives from leaders with minimum questions.

Why can't each community leaders draw up their own LG structure and get the state legislature to approve same and keep making necessary changes as challenges come rather than waiting for the FG/national assembly to deliver them from what should ordinarily be a local affair?

If the National assembly can leave it's attempt at populism by attempting to make laws for local administration by making it clear that all communities should approach their respective state legislature for local government reforms that in my opinion will foster robust discussion, meetings, growth of democratic ethos, involvement and sense of belonging and ownership of government system at the local level.

I think we should stop being lazy by simply calling anyone opposed to our idea a thief (not saying stealing in not going on o!) and think of practical ways to solve the problem of LG administration without violating the federal system of government we have currently adopted

cocoduck:

look at them yes you are one of the thugs used by these thrives to terrorise the people why would you say no? when you know it is from the money meant for grass root development that he pays you with but this time you will fail. demo crazy bitches

Calm down ask reasonable question why he said LG autonomy is not proper then you can probably learn something you never knew before

blink182:
And who said local governments cared about those? It seems you really do not know what is happening at the moment. State commissioners for finance go to abuja to collect cheques for both state and lga allocation. The governor takes state allocation then does with it as he pleases, then he takes lga allocation, removes salaries, adds a little capital expenditures, adds a little change for the lga politicians then keeps the rest. Its not like the money is a lot compared to their own allocation but it shows you the level of kleptomaniacs they belong to.

This autonomy is mostly about giving local governments the right to go to abuja directly to receive their allocation.

That is the net effect of trying to solve what should be a local problem with federal power. We at the same time complain the FG is too powerful on one hand and then advocate to increase it powers and control to solve a local problem, are we for real?

byrron:


What nigeria is practicing at the moment negates the principle of true federalism.

Bringing governance down to the grassroot level can never be a negation to the principles of true federalism rather the governors who are a part of the executive arm of goverment now meddling with what is purely the functions of the legislature negates the principles of true federalism.

All the community schools here and the massive maintanance of roads and some public structures In the county here In NY are being carried out by the mayor and not by the governor. Is united states not practicing true federalism? Are they not the model of democracy we are copping bck in Nigeria?

If the mayors In united states can be saddled with so much responsibility which brings down governance to the county areas despite the state having a governor with much heavier responsibilities then why can't the local governments in Nigeria be allowed to function as it ought to be without the governors hijacking its funds but refusing to carry out its functions?

True federalism recognizes the doctrine of seperation of power which is a part of the soul of true federalism and the governors are now over-reaching themselves.

Let the legislators make the law and if the governors don't like the law because It takes away the control of local goverment funds from their hands then they should go to the judiciary and challenge it which is the standard practice in every sane society that practices true federalism.

You're right. Nigeria at the moment is not practicing true federalism. The present structure is more or less a unitary form of government. But here's the kicker. We all know that true federalism means separation of powers between the Center and the States where the states operates their own laws, their economy with complete control over resources based in their states.
Now if true federalism gives States more autonomy to govern and make laws, how can the National Assembly make laws regarding the conduct and operation of local government in the
State? Isn't that the responsibility of the States Assemblies to decide what to do with their local governments?

Ovamboland:


That is the net effect of trying to solve what should be a local problem with federal power. We at the same time complain the FG is too powerful on one hand and then advocate to increase it powers and control to solve a local problem, are we for real?

Makes me wonder too. If the lga chairmen get their autonomy, they can be held accountable for so many things and that is the level of government that people can interact with the most ease.

Ovamboland:


Continuing with your assertions though disagreeing some of your statements, we need to make up our mind whether we prefer a unitary system or want true federalism. Direct allocation from the FG to LG is a victory for the Unitarianism and receding of federalism. That is not to say there are no abuses in the management of state joint accounts but the so-called abuses we need to ask if they are lawful. In some other federal set-up the creation, number, and rules or powers allocated to LG/Counties/boroughs emanates from state laws not from the central government.

We need to understand that our problem stems from the one size fits all approach imposed by some select wise men at the center has been the bane of our democrat experience. The local politics and social engineering has been emasculated. Why should the south-eastern states who fiercely claim to be individualistic and republican be forced to administer themselves at the local level using the organisation as the north-west states who are seen to be more conservative, laid back and take directives from leaders with minimum questions.

Why can't each community leaders draw up their own LG structure and get the state legislature to approve same and keep making necessary changes as challenges come rather than waiting for the FG/national assembly to deliver them from what should ordinarily be a local affair?

If the National assembly can leave it's attempt at populism by attempting to make laws for local administration by making it clear that all communities should approach their respective state legislature for local government reforms that in my opinion will foster robust discussion, meetings, growth of democratic ethos, involvement and sense of belonging and ownership of government system at the local level.

I think we should stop being lazy by simply calling anyone opposed to our idea a thief (not saying stealing in not going on o!) and think of practical ways to solve the problem of LG administration without violating the federal system of government we have currently adopted

^^^
I agree with some of your ideas. Some, not all. In a broad sense, your suggestions mirror how the system should work: communities and local groups meet and decide on how they want to live and how they want their government and affairs to run. They then communicate these decisions to the states and the federal authorities. If our system were working properly, the approach would be 'bottom up' and not the 'top down' anomaly currently in place.

However, the issue at hand is very clearly defined. It is not a broad theme or policy thrust around which there may be legitimate grounds for opposition. The matter at stake is a legislative proposal (imperfect though it may be) to grant autonomy to LGs and governors are dead set against it. Why? What are they afraid of? Why would state chief executives oppose any measures which would (ostensibly) promote more openness in the system?

The reasons they are afraid have been clearly spelt out on this thread by some other posters.

Nigerians should not just watch, they should ACT.

major466:


You're right. Nigeria at the moment is not practicing true federalism. The present structure is more or less a unitary form of government. But here's the kicker. We all know that true federalism means separation of powers between the Center and the States where the states operates their own laws, their economy with complete control over resources based in their states.
Now if true federalism gives States more autonomy to govern and make laws, how can the National Assembly make laws regarding the conduct and operation of local government in the
State? Isn't that the responsibility of the States Assemblies to decide what to do with their local governments?

The practice of true federalism will erase all these worries.

Every state will sort itself out with practically no external influence.

VolvoS60:


^^^
I agree with some of your ideas. Some, not all. In a broad sense, your suggestions mirror how the system should work: communities and local groups meet and decide on how they want to live and how they want their government and affairs to run. They then communicate these decisions to the states and the federal authorities. If our system were working properly, the approach would be 'bottom up' and not the 'top down' anomaly currently in place.

However, the issue at hand is very clearly defined. It is not a broad theme or policy thrust around which there may be legitimate grounds for opposition. The matter at stake is a legislative proposal (imperfect though it may be) to grant autonomy to LGs and governors are dead set against it. Why? What are they afraid of? Why would state chief executives oppose any measures which would (ostensibly) promote more openness in the system?

The reasons they are afraid have been clearly spelt out on this thread by some other posters.

Nigerians should not just watch, they should ACT.

The problem in my opinion will remain the same, if we cannot as citizens engage the LG actors based on the little they get now having access to more money will make us better engaged.
If the National assembly is sincere and not looking at creating a base of power for themselves in the states they should start by delisting the Local governments from the constitution. They can replace it with a simple statement that guarantees republican government in the state that is the states shall split itself into administrative units according to it's own laws.

Then we will realize the enormous powers over our lives reposed the state assemblies, maybe then we will take serious the type of people we allow to represent us at the important chamber.

What happens now is that citizens don't bother about the characters they allow to represent them in what is essentially a representative system of government, they only focus on the governorship candidate. The top down solution you advocate will never help us strengthen local politics or develop democratic institutions.

If the responsibility for the character of our LG is dumped on our laps some will get it right and some will falter then they can keep tweaking the system copying from successful examples and thereby engage the thought process and hence better understanding of how the system should work rather that expecting some big brother in Abuja to do the thinking on our behalf.
Who is the better monitor the one who designed the system or the one handed a finished product with a manual?

pazienza:
Notice that the two governors forum factions are united on this issue, also notice that APC and PDP governors are united on this. Then you would begin to understand that they are all part of the same coin, the looting elites.

^^^
Exactly.

What Nigerians need to understand is that they are not tied at the hip to ANY political party. Reading through these thread, there seems to be a sense of weary resignation that the PDP and APC are the only options. Why? Are there not other parties and candidates?

Seek them out and make your choice!

Ovamboland:


The problem in my opinion will remain the same, if we cannot as citizens engage the LG actors based on the little they get now having access to more money will make us better engaged.
If the National assembly is sincere and not looking at creating a base of power for themselves in the states they should start by delisting the Local governments from the constitution. They can replace it with a simple statement that guarantees republican government in the state that is the states shall split itself into administrative units according to it's own laws.

Then we will realize the enormous powers over our lives reposed the state assemblies, maybe then we will take serious the type of people we allow to represent us at the important chamber.

What happens now is that citizens don't bother about the characters they allow to represent them in what is essentially a representative system of government, they only focus on the governorship candidate. The top down solution you advocate will never help us strengthen local politics or develop democratic institutions.

If the responsibility for the character of our LG is dumped on our laps some will get it right and some will falter then they can keep tweaking the system copying from successful examples and thereby engage the thought process and hence better understanding of how the system should work rather that expecting some big brother in Abuja to do the thinking on our behalf.
Who is the better monitor the one who designed the system or the one handed a finished product with a manual?

^^^^
How does your suggestion about 'states splitting themselves up into administrative units according to their laws' work in practice?

There is no need to reinvent the wheel sir. Federalism is not a new concept. Let's take a Brazil for example - it is a federation with a central government, states and municipalities. The municipal governments have both executive and legislative functions - the only exclusion is judicial powers - these are reserved for the states and the federal government in Brazil. Municipalities in Brazil make their own laws, collect taxes and also receive funding from the state and federal governments. What is so special about Nigeria that states do not want LGs to stand on their feet?

The proposal made by Nigeria's lawmakers is just one small step in getting rid of the current aberration in our system in which LGs are near nigh useless (because they are appendages of the state government). I am not advocating a 'top down' approach in deciding the character of our representative democracy. No. As I conceded earlier, our system is imperfect. But we do not need to reinvent the wheel. Financial (and other) autonomy for LGs is a straightforward, sensible, practical step in the right direction, and the lawmakers bill appears to be good legislation. The only thing I would add is that our institutions and checks/balances need to be strengthened (as a matter of life and death) or this bill will leave things unchanged or even make them worse. There is no point exchanging corrupt and incompetent state governments for corrupt and incompetent local governments.

I am not sure I agree with you about the reasons for the apathy of Nigerians to the state assemblies that represent them. That apathy will not magically disappear if your suggestions are adopted.

I am curious about your comments on this legislative proposal being the channel for a power grab by legislators. Kindly explain.

I think the autonomy has been endorsed by the legislators. No more State's diversion of the Local Government funds thereby incapacitating the council areas from embarking on meaningful development.

Ovamboland:


That is the net effect of trying to solve what should be a local problem with federal power. We at the same time complain the FG is too powerful on one hand and then advocate to increase it powers and control to solve a local problem, are we for real?

When I clamor for LG autonomy, I don't mean the FG should take over the administration of the LGs. I agree with you that States should have d power to create local government areas, and regulate the tenure of the Chairmen and Councillors.
However, the constitution should totally bar the governors from illegally removing the chairmen. The Chairmen should only be removed via impeachment or recall from the residents of the particular LGA.

The SIECs should also have "first line-charge" status, which guarantees their funding independent of the governors' whims.

VolvoS60:


^^^^
How does your suggestion about 'states splitting themselves up into administrative units according to their laws' work in practice?

There is no need to reinvent the wheel sir. Federalism is not a new concept. Let's take a Brazil for example - it is a federation with a central government, states and municipalities. The municipal governments have both executive and legislative functions - the only exclusion is judicial powers - these are reserved for the states and the federal government in Brazil. Municipalities in Brazil make their own laws, collect taxes and also receive funding from the state and federal governments. What is so special about Nigeria that states do not want LGs to stand on their feet?

The proposal made by Nigeria's lawmakers is just one small step in getting rid of the current aberration in our system in which LGs are near nigh useless (because they are appendages of the state government). I am not advocating a 'top down' approach in deciding the character of our representative democracy. No. As I conceded earlier, our system is imperfect. But we do not need to reinvent the wheel. Financial (and other) autonomy for LGs is a straightforward, sensible, practical step in the right direction, and the lawmakers bill appears to be good legislation. The only thing I would add is that our institutions and checks/balances need to be strengthened (as a matter of life and death) or this bill will leave things unchanged or even make them worse. There is no appoint exchanging corrupt and incompetent state governments for corrupt and incompetent local governments.

I am not sure I agree with you about the reasons for the apathy of Nigerians to the state assemblies that represent them. That apathy will not magically disappear if your suggestions are adopted.

I am curious about your comments on this legislative proposal being the channel for a power grab by legislators. Kindly explain.

You are still missing the point that the current one size fits all approach for LG administration is doomed to failure as we currently have. If we need to re-invent our own wheel so be it as the experience becomes our own and not that of another people. The truth is all over the country we have different cultural values and aspirations and different ways we engage with leadership. Why should we be forced to be the same even in the manner of local administration, even the colonial system could not use same system in both Northern and Southern protectorate successfully

What of the learning process of which the society has little or none in designing and setting up a democratic system. If we hinge our lives in never being original and only copying whole sale from here and there our democratic development will remain stunted.

It is very clear that after the financial autonomy is granted by Abuja, the next thing they would need will be political autonomy from Abuja then supervisory autonomy and oversight autonomy and naturally the legislators will have a new ally in any contention with state governments, i guess that is clear. Sincere National assembly will not attempt to play big brother and make laws to allow genuine ownership by local politicians and citizens.

The current proposed financial autonomy is a project owned by the National assembly not the people. It becomes owned by the people when they agitate and strategies for at the state level if they are truly interested in it. The strategy includes ensuring the state legislator representing them believes in the agenda of his locality.