2023 Poll: NULGE Urges Members To Vote out Lagos, Ekiti, Other States Frustrating LG Autonomy Bill

Praise Chinecherem

The National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Anambra State Chapter has expressed worry over states frustrating passsage of autonomy bill for the liberation of third tie of government.

The President, Chikwelu Adigwe who stated this on Wednesday in a press briefing, regretted that only ten states had passed the bill, whereas the bill required a minimum of 24 states to receive assent.

He particularly mentioned Lagos and Ekiti as two states that were adamant to the bill, urging members to vote them out at the forthcoming general elections.

He attributed alleged corrupt and non-viability of local government system to paucity of funds, assuring that such accusations would be history if the leadership were adequately funded and given free hands to function as enshrined in the constitution.

He appreciated states that have passed the autonomy bill namely Abia, Kogi, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Katsina, Enugu, Edo, Ogun, Osun and Anambra, just as he commended their various executive and legislative leaderships for their support.

He said, “We want to appeal to States of Assembly, traditional rulers and indeed Nigerians to urge other states yet to join in the league of passing autonomy bill to follow suit for the liberation of third tie of government.

“Most of the problems we have in Nigeria have their origin from Local Government administration, including insecurity and unemployment because the governors view the local government as their personal enterprises.

“They not only end up crippling the system, but make it redundant and ineffective, thereby creating hardship for workers. Regrettably, the same governors who refuse autonomy while on seat will start championing same once they move to National Assembly. 

“We had the chairman of Governors forum, Fayemi during a meeting with the speakers urging them to truncate the autonomy. What is his reasons? Let him tell Nigerians why he wants to truncate government at the grassroots. 

“NULGE is not also happy with Lagos, Ekiti and other states still contemplating. I believe what made Lagos what it is today is the LG administration. We appeal to our members in those states to vote out the government in power in the next election. Let’s send them the message with our votes. 

“This autonomy battle is not meant for the workers alone to champion. Let the lawmakers be true representatives of the people and not themselves so we can have the 24 states required for the legal backing.

“We appreciate states that have passed the bill, namely Abia, Kogi, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Katsina, Enugu, Edo, Ogun, Osun and Anambra States.

“We also appreciate Governor Chukwuma Soludo for not interfering with the affairs of the House of Assembly as well as Speaker for his doggedness and other lawmakers who made the feat possible.”