The Voice Of The Masses

The local government system in Nigeria was constitutionally designed to promote grassroots development and democratic governance. According to the 1999 Constitution (as amended), local governments are the third tier of government, and they are expected to operate independently with elected officials – including the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Councilors, and Supervisory Councillors. However, in practice, especially in many Nigerian states, councilors who are meant to serve as the legislative arm of the local government often find themselves at the mercy of the executive chairmen. This imbalance has led to what many term the "administrative hostage" situation – a scenario where councilors are politically, financially, and administratively subdued by the chairmen, rendering them ineffective and powerless.

Understanding the Role of Councilors

Councilors are elected representatives of wards within a local government area (LGA). Their constitutional roles include:

Oversight of the executive arm at the local government level.
Passing of bylaws and regulations for good governance within the LGA.
Approving budgets, expenditures, and development plans.
Serving as a bridge between the grassroots and government.

In a functional democracy, councilors are not only lawmakers but also watchdogs of the local executive. They are supposed to question excesses, investigate corruption, and ensure community needs are represented.

The LG Chairman’s Dominance

However, in reality, local government chairmen often wield overwhelming power, politically and financially. This power disparity leads to councilors being placed in a subordinate, hostage-like position due to several reasons:

Control Over Finances: The LG chairman controls the council's finances and often starves the legislative arm of funds. Without financial autonomy, councilors are unable to function, hold sittings, or even access basic allowances.
Manipulation of Leadership: In many LGAs, the chairman influences or installs loyalists as the speaker and principal officers of the council. This undermines internal democracy and turns the legislature into a rubber-stamp.
Political Godfatherism: Councilors often emerge from political arrangements where the chairman or higher party authorities anoint them. This makes them more loyal to the chairman or political party than to the people.
Lack of Capacity and Independence: Many councilors lack adequate education, training, or understanding of their constitutional roles. This gap is exploited by the chairmen to dominate decision-making.
Fear of Impeachment or Suspension: In cases where a councilor dares to challenge the chairman, retaliation can include trumped-up charges, suspension, or even orchestrated removal from office through manipulated procedures.

Consequences of Administrative Hostage

The suppression of councilors has dire implications:

Erosion of Checks and Balances: Without a strong legislative arm, there is no accountability. The chairman operates unchecked, leading to embezzlement, ghost projects, and underdevelopment.
Poor Representation of Constituents: Councilors who are silenced cannot advocate for the needs of their wards, leading to a disconnect between the people and the government.
Stunted Local Governance: The primary essence of local government is defeated when one arm dominates the other. It kills the spirit of democracy and participatory governance.
Weak Institutions and Corruption: Over time, the institutional integrity of local governments is weakened. Corruption festers, and developmental initiatives become politicized or abandoned.

Recommendations for Reform

To address the administrative hostage situation, the following steps must be taken:

Financial Autonomy: The legislative arm of local governments must be granted independent funding to enable them to function effectively without relying on the chairman.
Constitutional Reforms: Strengthen the powers of councilors in the constitution and establish clear penalties for chairmen who attempt to sabotage legislative independence.
Capacity Building: Councilors must undergo regular training on legislative processes, budgeting, and oversight functions.
Civic Engagement: Citizens must demand transparency and be involved in the oversight of their local governments. This will empower councilors to speak up without fear.
Judicial Protection: Councilors should have access to legal remedies when their rights and powers are trampled upon by the executive arm.
Party Discipline and Internal Democracy: Political parties must allow open primaries and reduce the imposition of candidates. This will ensure that councilors are answerable to the people, not the chairmen or party chieftains.

The phenomenon of councilors being held in administrative hostage by local government chairmen is a major obstacle to the democratization of local governance in Nigeria. Unless addressed, it will continue to undermine development at the grassroots, weaken accountability, and disillusion the electorate. A vibrant local legislature is essential for good governance, and all stakeholders – from the electorate to civil society to higher levels of government – must work to liberate councilors from this administrative bondage and restore the sanctity of local government democracy.

Comrade onyeabor chisom justice (khalifa)

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