A Senior Advocate of Nigeria ,SAN, Prof. Oladayo Amokaye, has advocated amendment of the 1999 Constitution to clearly define the status of local governments within the Nigerian federal system.
Amokaye, who is a Professor of Private and Property Law, University of Lagos, made the call at the 20th Annual Adekunle Kukoyi Memorial Lecture, yesterday in Ikeja.
The News Agency of Nigeria ,NAN, reports that the lecture had the topic: “Usurpation of Powers and Functions: A Case Study of Local Government Administration and Autonomy”.
Amokaye said that the definition was crucial, adding that local governments only existed in principles.
He said that constitutional amendment would help in removing ambiguities regarding local government creation, funding and responsibilities.
This, he said, would establish a strong and effective third tier of government that would effectively serve the needs of Nigerians.
The SAN recommended that the amendment should align constitutional provisions with the recent Supreme Court ruling on local government autonomy, ensuring that the rulings would be fully respected and implemented.
Amokaye said,” I recommend the amendment of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to remove all the ambiguities as to the status, creation, funding and duties of the local government.
“This is with a view to bringing into line, the recent decisions of the Supreme Court on local government autonomy and strengthen the local government as a competent, efficient and effective third tier of government to the benefit of all Nigerians”.
The SAN called on state governments to ensure that local government elections would be free, fair and transparent to enable true democratic representation at the local government level.
He urged state governments to actively work toward institutionalising local government autonomy, granting local councils the necessary powers and resources to function independently.
Amokaye advocated independence of state electoral commissions from political interference by state governments.
