Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North, has advocated for local government (LG) autonomy, arguing that decentralizing power is preferable to concentrating resources under a single leader.
Speaking at a forum on LG autonomy organized by the House of Representatives on Monday, Oshiomhole defended the financial independence of local governments, which was upheld by the Supreme Court in July 2024.
The former Edo State governor stated, “I am completely for local government autonomy and believe that whoever has power must account for it, regardless of their level.” Addressing concerns about potential mismanagement of funds at the grassroots level, Oshiomhole quipped, “It’s better to have 774 thieves, each producing one or two billionaires than one big thief taking everything.”
He emphasized that the real issue lies in the character of leaders and whether financial autonomy would lead to tangible development. “The key question is: if we transfer money directly to local governments, will it result in more development? That’s a matter of integrity and accountability,” he said.
Oshiomhole also urged the National Assembly to review the legal framework governing LGs, suggesting that it should be easier to hold local government chairmen accountable compared to governors, who often evade scrutiny until the end of their tenure.
He concluded by expressing optimism that effective reforms could ensure financial autonomy and lead to better outcomes for communities.
