Lagos Assembly Pushes for Financial Autonomy for Local Government Councillors
The Lagos State House of Assembly has urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to mandate the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to design a clear framework that will grant financial autonomy to local government legislatures across the state.
At Tuesday’s plenary session, presided over by Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, lawmakers unanimously supported a motion sponsored by Hon. Ganiu Sanni (Kosofe 1), stressing that autonomy is critical to strengthening grassroots democracy and effective governance.
Speaker Obasa raised concerns over reports that some former council chairmen still control council finances through Council Managers and Treasurers, sometimes remaining signatories to accounts even after leaving office.
“The independence of the legislative arm at the council level is non-negotiable if we truly want grassroots democracy to thrive,” Obasa declared.
In his motion, Hon. Sanni reminded the House that the 1999 Constitution recognises the local government legislature as a vital arm of governance with law-making, oversight, and representational duties. He argued that over-reliance on the executive arm for funding undermines the separation of powers and exposes councillors to undue influence.
Other lawmakers, including Hon. Solomon Bonu (Badagry 1), Hon. Desmond Elliot (Surulere 1), and Hon. Nureni Akinsanya, backed the motion. While Bonu commended President Bola Tinubu for deepening grassroots democracy, Elliot maintained that the Assembly’s reform agenda would be incomplete without autonomy for council legislatures. Akinsanya added that councillors must be financially independent to perform their duties responsibly and without external interference.
Following deliberations, the Assembly resolved to direct its Committee on Local Government Administration, Chieftaincy Affairs, and Rural Development to immediately draft a self-accounting law that would grant legislative arms of the 20 LGs and 37 LCDAs in Lagos the financial independence they need.
