Group Opposes Proposed Lagos Assembly Bill To Amend Local Govt Administration, Calls For Autonomy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

De Renaissance Patriots Foundation has expressed concerns over the Lagos State House of Assembly’s proposed Bill to amend the Lagos State Law on Local Government Administration.

In a letter dated October 22, 2024, and addressed to Speaker Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajaiyi Obasa, the foundation emphasized that local governments cannot function autonomously without their constitutionally specified roles and revenue sources being restored.

During an emergency meeting on October 18, 2024, the group called for a return to constitutional guidelines on local government responsibilities and revenue generation. It highlighted how these roles had been gradually taken by the Lagos State Government since 1999.

The group, comprising retired generals, professors, and other prominent Nigerians, pointed out that the Bill would reverse the state’s 57 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) to a 20-local government structure while introducing 37 new Area Administrative Councils.

However, it criticized the aspect that creates 37 new administrative councils, replacing the unconstitutional LCDAs.

“Each of which will be headed by an Administrative Secretary who will be appointed by the Governor,” the letter noted.

Titled “De Renaissance Patriots Establishing Rebuttable Presumptions in the Local Government Autonomy in Lagos State,” the letter detailed concerns about compliance with constitutional provisions and the Supreme Court ruling on local government autonomy.

Signed by the foundation’s Board of Trustees Chairman, Professor Iliyas Adele Jinadu, and supported by other trustees, the letter outlined the group’s analysis and disagreement with parts of the Bill.

“We have made twenty-two (22) observations here under listed,” it wrote.

The group also noted the state government’s continued control of local government finances.

“The State Government still arrogates the powers to make deductions from the allocations received from the Federal Government,” the letter stated.

In conclusion, the foundation emphasized, “Local Governments in Lagos State will not be fully autonomous until the State Assembly legislates and passes a law that will allow Local Governments to collect revenue from the third tier’s statutory sources.”

The statement added, “De Renaissance Patriots Foundation, a socio-cultural organization for the Lagos State indigenes, has raised a 22-point observation to a proposed Bill being currently discussed in the Lagos State House of Assembly towards amending the Lagos State Law on Local Government Administration.

It said, “The Foundation, which raised the point of order during an emergency meeting of its steering committee in Lagos on Friday October 18, 2024, wanted the state government and the House of Assembly to go back to what the Constitution says with respect to the responsibilities and sources of generating revenues by Local Governments with holistic address of all the infractions perpetrated and how those constitutional roles and rights of the Local Governments have been infringed upon by the state government, since 1999.”

SaharaReporters reported on Tuesday a case filed by De Renaissance Patriots Foundation and Ibeju-Lekki Peoples Forum scheduled to come up for mention on earlier in the day, October 22, 2024, was stalled by the absence of the judge, Lagos State Government, Attorney General and the other two defendants.

The case involves a request for clarification on the statement made by prominent businessman Alhaji Aliko Dangote that he paid $100 million to the Lagos State Government.

However, the Applicants – De Renaissance Patriots Foundation and Ibeju-Lekki Peoples Forum – were present in court.

The application seeks to compel Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Attorney General, the Accountant General, the Permanent Secretary of the Lands Bureau, and the Lagos State Government to confirm the veracity of Dangote’s claim.

Specifically, the court is tasked with compelling the state government to disclose whether Dangote’s assertion that he paid $100 million to the government is factual or erroneous.

Should the claim be verified, the Applicants want the Lagos State Government to provide a comprehensive and detailed account of the transaction, addressing critical questions such as why there was no public statement issued regarding this significant financial transaction.