Senator Adams Oshiomhole Advocates for Local Government Financial Autonomy
Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing the Edo North senatorial district, has voiced strong support for the financial autonomy of local governments in Nigeria. His comments came in light of the Supreme Court's ruling on July 11, 2024, which upheld this autonomy. Speaking at a forum focused on local government autonomy organized by the House of Representatives on December 2, Oshiomhole, a former Governor of Edo State, highlighted the critical role of character in governance and the need for accountability. He emphasized the significant responsibilities local government chairmen hold due to their close connection with the communities they serve. Oshiomhole urged local leaders to allocate resources judiciously, stressing the importance of investing in essential infrastructure such as roads, hospitals, and public services. “It’s better to have 774 local government chairmen who are thieves than one big thief,” he remarked, suggesting that this decentralized approach could foster economic growth. He argued that with effective financial autonomy, each local government could cultivate one or two billionaires rather than relying on a single wealthy individual at the state level.
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