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Presently, the 774 local government councils across the nation are grappling with severe financial challenges, leaving them unable to fulfill their constitutional obligations to the grassroots population. This predicament is a consequence of the actions and inactions of state governors.

Amid the dire state of local government councils nationwide, the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has accused state governors of debilitating the third tier of government.

Investigations by Saturday PUNCH have unveiled that many local government council headquarters’ infrastructure is in a state of disrepair, and their funding is obstructed due to state governors consistently tampering with their finances.

NULGE has raised an alarm that 34 out of the 36 state governors have been diverting local government funds, leaving the crucial level of government inadequately financed to undertake community development initiatives. Only Rivers and Jigawa states have reportedly abstained from such actions, adhering to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit’s directive to refrain from this practice.

Ambali Olatunji, the National President of NULGE, expressed that the governors’ actions are deliberate and undermine effective leadership at the grassroots level, ultimately hindering local development.

Furthermore, Olatunji remarked that the governors’ refusal to conduct local government elections is also an attempt to deprive the grassroots population of political and democratic representation.

Olatunji stated, “It will also create room for the diversion of resources available for meaningful growth and development at that sub-national level.”

The dire financial situation of the local government councils has impeded their ability to perform basic functions, including infrastructure development, primary health care, waste disposal, and road maintenance.

Most local government offices are in a state of dilapidation, with outdated furniture and surroundings cluttered with inoperable vehicles and equipment.

Former President Muhammadu Buhari’s 2020 Executive Order No. 10 granted financial autonomy to the judiciary, legislature, and local governments, mandating the inclusion of their allocations in the first-line charge of state budgets. However, despite this directive, many states continue to rely on the “State Joint Local Government Account,” which hampers the financial autonomy of local governments.

Despite these challenges, local government councils are essential for primary education, agricultural development, waste disposal, and birth and death registration, among other responsibilities. Their constrained finances obstruct their capacity to effectively fulfill these roles, significantly impacting local communities’ development.

“The initial phase of the permanent secretariat has been finalized; the doors and windows have been installed. The remaining tasks involve electrical installations and painting. New furniture has been approved for this area. The structures within the initial phase are indeed fitting. The local government initiated the construction using its allocated funds, complemented by contributions from the local community. In addition, the council’s monarchs made an appeal to the former governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, during his tenure, and he allocated N12 million, which partially funded the project.”

An employee from the Ekiti South West Local Government Council, Ilawe Ekiti, shared anonymously that the previous secretariat endured a two-year period without electricity due to negligence.

The council employee stated, “We have both an old and a new secretariat. The old secretariat used to have a power supply until the executive members moved to the new secretariat complex. Subsequently, the old secretariat was neglected, even though it accommodates a majority of council workers, including those in chieftaincy affairs, community development, and environmental departments. The old secretariat has been without electricity for nearly two years now, and there seems to be a lack of concern from the management.”

Sokoto

While the previous administration under Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal in Sokoto State did construct well-designed secretariats in certain local government councils within the state, many of these buildings, including the newly erected ones, are now in a state of disrepair.

Upon visiting several of these secretariats, it’s evident that most have deteriorated significantly. The Bodinga Local Government Council’s secretariat in Bodinga town is no longer in its original condition, with many workers absent from their posts.

A secretariat employee named Mallam Tukur Bodinga described the complex’s condition as subpar. He attributed the responsibility for the complex’s state to the immediate past administration in the state, asserting that the Tambuwal administration had not adequately addressed local government issues in the state.

Bodinga commented, “Yes, the structure was built by the immediate past administration, but what can you expect when the local government councils didn’t receive their allocations? The former state governor’s decision to withhold the monthly allocations of local government chairmen, combined with the fact that these chairmen were mere puppets, has led to the current situation.”

“Even today, the situation hasn’t improved. The current administration has appointed sole administrators for the local governments, but their inauguration has yet to occur. I can confidently tell you that most of my colleagues have left for the town. Some are conducting business in Sokoto town, while others are concentrating on their farms to sustain themselves. Even our superiors are largely absent; most of them show up only when salaries are about to be disbursed,” Bodinga elaborated.

At the Yabo Local Government Council, the situation is even more dismal, with the premises appearing untidy and deserted.

A local resident, who preferred to remain anonymous, called upon the Federal Government to find a solution for local governments to receive their allocations directly. They emphasized that many of the challenges faced by citizens stem from the absence of effective governance at the grassroots level.

In the Kware Local Government Area, a similar scenario unfolded with workers absent from their duty stations during a correspondent’s visit to the headquarters. A representative from a civil society organization, speaking at the local government secretariat, alleged that employees only come to the office when there is something to be distributed.

This civil society officer attributed the situation to both federal and state governments, noting that they’ve transformed local government administration into an extension of the state-controlled ministry of local government.

The CSO officer expressed, “If it weren’t for civil society organizations like ours using these premises, one can only imagine the state of affairs. Nonetheless, we are optimistic that the current state administration’s commitment to work might lead to a greater engagement with local government administration. The governor might consider allowing local government chairmen to manage their resources independently, rather than seizing their allocations as done in the past.”

“It would be preferable if the constitution granted the Independent National Electoral Commission the authority to conduct local government elections. With this approach, the issue of resource seizure or control at the local government level could be effectively addressed,” the CSO officer concluded.

Katsina

Investigation reveals that the condition of a significant number of local government council secretariats in Katsina State is below par and fails to provide a conducive environment for workers.

Katsina State is comprised of 34 local government areas, and upon investigation, it becomes evident that the majority of their secretariats require substantial reconstruction or complete rehabilitation. Visits to the headquarters of Jibiya, Batsari, and Baure local government areas underscore the non-conducive working conditions for employees.

The state of the structures and furniture indicates that they are long overdue for replacement due to aging and inadequate maintenance. Ceilings in conference halls and offices have collapsed, while the floors exhibit significant holes. In several offices, malfunctioning lights and ceiling fans are held together by makeshift cables.

It’s noteworthy that despite being connected to public power lines, the council headquarters predominantly rely on generators to power electronic devices during office hours.

Further investigation uncovers that certain council workers are involved in farming, engaging in the commercial motorcycle business, or operating private shops to supplement their salaries. Interestingly, some primary health centers are situated outside the council secretariat premises.

Various council officials, speaking anonymously, express discontent with their working conditions. An assistant director, among those interviewed, appeals to the state government to direct attention to the council headquarters. He emphasizes that the neglect of these headquarters has a detrimental impact on workers’ dedication and commitment to their duties.

Efforts to reach the state Commissioner for Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prof Badamasi Lawal, for comments were unsuccessful.

Oyo

The situation in Oyo State’s Ona-Ara, Akinyele, and Ido local government areas is truly distressing, with some office chairs being far from satisfactory, and certain offices resembling places where animals are housed.

During visits to the council secretariats, our correspondent observed that the environment was unkempt, and many workers appeared to be idling away in their offices.

Several senior officers, who shared their thoughts with Saturday PUNCH on the condition of anonymity, lamented the dire state of affairs at the local government level in both Ibadan metropolis and across the entire state.

One officer conveyed, “In contrast to the past when we received regular running costs, now it’s sporadic. This isn’t just limited to Ibadan; it’s practically the same situation in all local governments within the state. I’ve been reliably informed that Governor Seyi Makinde releases funds to the council chairmen, but they, in turn, disburse it as they see fit. The situation at the local government level is dire. I’d like to take this opportunity to appeal to the governor to take a careful look at the circumstances on the ground, as they are truly appalling.”

In regard to consistent power supply, the officer mentioned that only the head of local government administration, the administration department, and the treasury possess a standby generator to ensure that the council remains operational during electricity outages.

“The challenges at the local government level are substantial. We operate under unfavorable conditions. The working environment is far from conducive. You mentioned that my local government is the third one you’ve visited, and I’m inclined to believe that officials from the other two councils must have expressed similar sentiments,” the officer concluded.

Abia

In Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, is said to have allowed the 17 local government councils to run without elected officials.

Though this was inherited from the immediate past administration of Okezie Ikpeazu, who could not hold council elections before leaving office, the local governments are being run by their heads of administration.

It was gathered that the HoAs were not in a position to maintain infrastructure in the council secretariats because the financial power had been removed from them.

As a result therefore, most council secretariats are in a state of dilapidation and neglect.

In many of the councils, such as, Umuahia North, Umuahia South and Ikwuano, there are signs of neglect of infrastructure and the environment.

A worker at one of the secretariats, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “The LGAs are being run from the Government House.

“Our union, NULGE, has been neutralised and paralysed, except the staff welfare union, but we love what the state government is doing to fish out those who embezzled our funds. We don’t have council officials anymore to run the affairs of the councils”.

According to a high ranking official, the councils cannot even keep their environment clean as there is no fund available for that purpose.

When contacted, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor, Kazie Uko, said he was aware that “there has been quite some movement of officials and reshuffling,” he, however, referred our correspondent to the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs for his reaction.

The state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Uzor Nwachukwu, could not be reached for his comment as his phone rang out.

Another problem hindering the effective performance of the local government councils is the decision of many governors to dissolve elected councils and replace them with sole administrators appointed to do their bidding. By not allowing the people’s wish to prevail at the local government level, the governors have removed accountability and force their stooges on the people.

Kwara

Kwara State has 16 local government councils operating with the appointed Transitional Implementation Committees in the last two and half years.

The last local government election in the state was held in October 2017 and the elected officials were supposed to be in the office for three years.

However, the elected council chairmen were suspended by Governor AbdulRaman AbdulRazaq in July 2019, which means they were in office for less than two years.

Edo

In Edo State, local government election has been fixed for September 2 with the heads of local government councils in charge at the moment.

The state has 18 local government areas with the last election held on March 3, 2018.

Already, all the political parties are getting set for the September 2 election with the Peoples Democratic Party kicking off its campaign on Wednesday.

Bayelsa

In Bayelsa State, the eight local government councils are being administered by caretaker committees, which Governor Douye Diri inaugurated on July 26, 2023 few hours after the state House of Assembly screened and confirmed the members.

This happened barely one month after Diri inaugurated the State Independent Electoral Commission to conduct local government polls.

Earlier in March, the governor stated that his administration would conduct council election this year, saying the state government was waiting for the conclusion of the 2023 general elections.

The last council polls in the state was conducted in August 2019 by the administration of Seriake Dickson, and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party won all the eight councils and the 105 wards.

The tenure of the elected officials expired on August 14, 2022 and the governor dissolved the councils thereafter. Until the constitution of the caretaker committees last month, the councils were being run by the highest ranking civil servant in the respective councils.

 Bauchi

Currently, Bauchi State has caretaker committee chairmen heading the local government councils.

The last local government election in the state was held in October 2020 for the first time in over 12 years. Recently, during the swearing in of the current caretaker committee chairmen, Governor, Bala Mohammed hinted that the next council election would be held within the next six months in the 20 local government areas of the state.

Plateau

Local government councils in Plateau State are presently being administered by transition committee members, who were recently appointed by Governor Caleb Mutfwang. The last local government election in the state held in October 2021. Plateau State has 17 local government areas.

Gombe

Gombe State’s 11 local government areas are being administered by caretaker committees.

One of our correspondents reports that the last time the local government poll was held was in 2020 with the governing the All Progressives Congress clearing the 11 councils.

However, all efforts made by Inter-Party Advisory Council to stop Governor Muhammadu Yahaya from constituting caretaker committees proved abortive and their tenures have since been renewed twice.

Nasarawa

The last local government election in Nasarawa State was held in October 2021.

Sokoto

Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, appointed sole administrators for 21 out of the 23 local government areas of the state.

According to the Press Secretary to the Governor, Abubakar Bawa, only the Denge Shuni and Isa local government areas are expected to be controlled by the Directors of Administration.

The administration of Aminu Tambuwal conducted local government election in 2020.

Tambuwal conducted local government election twice in the eight years of his administration.

 Abia

Abia State has yet to conduct election into its 17 local government councils as the affairs of the councils are being run by heads of local government administrations.

The local government election was last held last on December 18, 2020.

The Chairman of Abia State Independent Electoral Commission, Prof Mkpa Agu Mkpa, stated that the commission could not conduct the local government council election scheduled for Friday, May 19, 2023, because of the two court orders restraining the commission from going ahead with the poll as well as the indefinite strike by the Nigerian Labour Congress at that time.

Ondo

Ondo State has executive chairmen in the 18 local government areas of the state.

The chairmen and executive council members were elected into the office in August 2023 following a poll. Before then, the state last conducted local government election in August 2020.

Ekiti

Elections into the 16 local governments and 22 local council development areas in Ekiti State will hold in December.

The winners of the chairmanship and councillorship elections are expected to assume duty shortly after they are returned elected by the State Independent Electoral Commission.

The two-year tenure of the incumbents, who were elected in December 2021, will expire in December 2023.

Katsina

Katsina state has 34 local government areas.

The APC won all the councils in the 2022 local government election.

The election ought to have been earlier held but the court did not take a final decision on the exercise until 2022.

Borno

There are currently 27 local government transitional caretaker committee chairmen sworn in two weeks ago for a second term of six months.

The last time the local government election was conducted in the state was in 2021.

The state plans to conduct another local government election in December 2023.

Rivers

There are 23 Local Government Areas in Rivers State. All the Council chairmen were elected in in 2021.

Kaduna

The local government election last conducted in Kaduna State on September 7, 2021.

The state has 23 local government areas and election is expected to be conducted next year.

Meanwhile, three council chairmen have been suspended by the state House of Assembly over alleged misappropriation of funds.

Anambra

Anambra State has 21 local government areas. The last local government election in the state was conducted in November 2014.

Currently, transition committee chairmen run the 21 local government councils in the state.

Zamfara

Zamfara state has neither local government chairmen, nor sole administrators at the moment.

The local governments are currently being supervised by the directors of administration. Election into the councils was last held in 2014.