Insight101WithCCFrancis (#602)
The war between Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as the then Governor of Lagos State, and President Olusegun Obasanjo was about the creation of more local government areas (LGAs) in Lagos State. Tinubu’s argument was that Lagos state, which had the highest population second only to Kano state, (however contestable), could not enjoy grassroots development with just 20 LGAs. Meanwhile, some other states with half the population of Lagos state, had more LGAs benefited more from Federal Government allocations to LGAs.
The case went through different levels of Court proceedings. At each court hearing, Tinubu floored the FG over and over until it got to the Supreme Court. The apex court decided the ruling in favour of Tinubu. Unfortunately, President Obasanjo maintained his stance and refused the creation of more LGAs in Lagos state.
Tinubu adopted a notable ingenuity by which development could get to the grassroots. He created 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDA). This strategy paid off. It enabled Government programmes and initiatives get to the people through these LCDAs. This resulted in rapid development in Lagos state.
Now, the same Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the President of Nigeria. His intention towards grassroots development has not dwindled. He advocated for the independence of Local Government Area Chairmen. In other words, the LGA Chairmen can receive allocation and FG programmes directly, without the interference of the State Governors.
Knowing that some Governors might kick against it, he took the case to the Supreme Court and won. Now, the Governors have no choice but to allow the independence of the LGAs in their States. That also implies that elections in the LGAs will now be conducted by INEC.
The much we can pray for is that the LGA Chairmen should utilize this opportunity to bring development to their people and catchments. Also, we pray that this will not be another political maneuver in favour of the APC during elections, and a tool to manipulate the LGA Chairmen to support the ruling party in order to remain politically relevant.
I am CC Francis
…always better than yesterday
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