The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, a trade union representing workers in Nigeria, has said the struggle for local government autonomy will not end until the bill on the subject is passed by all state Houses of Assembly.
The national president of the union, Olatunji Ambali, made the declaration in an interview with our correspondent in Abuja on Monday.
The PUNCH had earlier reported how state Houses of Assembly voted the bill seeking to grant financial and administrative autonomy to local governments.
In 2022, the National Assembly began a constitution review process under the chairmanship of Senator Omo-Agege.
A number of bills were put forward towards the amendment of the constitution, among them is the one seeking financial and administrative autonomy for local governments.
The bill seeks to abrogate the state-local government joint account; establish local government as a tier of government and institutionalise legislative bureaucracy in the constitution.
Constitutionally, a simple majority of votes is required in at least two-thirds of state assemblies (24 out of 36) for the amendments to sail through, and subsequently to be assented to by the President.
However, an accusing finger has been pointed at the governors for preventing state lawmakers from concurring with constitutional amendment proposals.
The governors, it is alleged, have “have worked tirelessly to turn the Conference of Speakers and some states’ assemblies into political puppets, thereby undermining and delegitimising the legislative institution at the state level.”
Speaking with our correspondent, Ambali said, “The struggle for local government autonomy is a continuous struggle. It is not yet over. It is what is good for Nigeria. The battle is far from over. We will interface with the new governors.
“In fact, most of the governors who opposed the autonomy lost their seats either as returning governors or incoming senators. I am sure they all have learnt their lessons. They are all anti-workers.
“We need to understand that most of the challenges being faced in Nigeria are local. From security challenges, joblessness, health, education and even politics. Our local government structure has lost its glory. You go to most schools, health care centres under the local government and you see that they are in a sorry state.”
Speaking on the issue of unpaid salaries for local government workers by some state governors, Ambali said, “Look at Zamfara, for instance, the governor owe workers salaries meanwhile he is planning a worthy retirement benefit for himself. It is criminal for any governor to do so. However. We are collaborating with the Nigeria Labour Congress. The moment the new governors are sworn in, we will meet with them on the way forward.”
