Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing the Edo North senatorial district, has reiterated his strong support for the financial autonomy of local governments in Nigeria.
Oshiomhole’s stance was made clear during a forum on local government autonomy organized by the House of Representatives on Monday, following the Supreme Court’s July 11, 2024, ruling that upheld the independence of local government finances.
The former Governor of Edo State stressed the significance of character, governance, and accountability in the management of local government resources.
He noted that local governments play a critical role in public service delivery due to their proximity to the people and urged local government chairmen to prioritize essential infrastructure like roads, hospitals, and other public services.
Highlighting the importance of decentralizing resources, Oshiomhole remarked, “It’s better to have 774 local government chairmen who are thieves than one big thief.”
He humorously suggested that this arrangement would ensure every local government produces one or two billionaires instead of concentrating wealth and power in the hands of a single individual.
The senator’s comments follows ongoing debates on local government autonomy and the need for improved governance at the grassroots level.
