KEY POINTS
- Nigerian Senators support the Local government Au-tonomY but have differed in support for state policing.
- Plea made for the ability of LG elections to foster independence as a way of driving efficiency at the grassroots level.
- The senators are pressing for new states for purpose of equity and fairness in representation.
Among the more important developments in the ongoing Nigerian constitution making process, Nigerian Senators have rallied together for local government (LG) autonomy but are split on the creation of state police. Lawmakers have continued to work on several governance challenges as the Senate and House of Representatives begin another round of the review of the 1999 Constitution.
According to Vanguard, When the senators were highlighting the areas of concern during a two-day retreat on prospects of constitutional amendments, full LG autonomy was endorsed fully. But on the issue of the state police they had quite different perspective, which stems from the differences in their regional interests, priorities and goals and objectives of state and local governments and security systems.
Complete endorsement of the structure of local governments
This was the consensus as senators from the northern and southern senatorial districts called for autonomy for the third tier of government; the local governments. Contended Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele observed that under the present circumstances, LG administration is done under state which results into mismanagement of funds. “We need to assure that LGs have autonomy in the way they discharge their duties to the society, Bamidele stressed, calling for the amendments to strengthen this provision.
Palming this assertion, Senator Ned Nwoko explained that more support is needed for independent LG elections, which he proposed to be conducted by INEC instead of state. Nwoko said only LGs that are empowered to be fully autonomous can be made relevant again and responsive for citizens.
Divided on state police
However, reflecting a seeming cultural consensus on LG autonomy, Senators held divergent views on the formation of state police. The proponents’ rationale was that state police could improve security at the local level since insecurity was on the rise. State police could better enable us to address regional security issues, according to Senator Sani Musa.
But other people, for instance, the senator Ali Ndume dismissed the proposal due to insufficient current polices levels. “Why not increase the number of federal police, train and equip them?” Ndume asked. He stressed that a bigger and better-funded federal police force would be better placed in addressing the security challenges in Nigeria.
For his part, Senators Osita Izunaso also called for creation of more states in his area uplift the standards of his people as well as called for equal representation Ned Nwoko also made same call for creation of new states in his region.
