In a landmark decision, the National Assembly has granted full financial and administrative autonomy to all 774 local government councils across Nigeria, redefining the structure of governance in the country. This monumental move was achieved through an amendment to Section 124 of the Constitution, which establishes local councils as a distinct third tier of government, free from state government interference.
The amendments, approved by the Senate on Tuesday following a similar endorsement by the House of Representatives last week, are part of a comprehensive constitutional review process involving 23 changes. These include key provisions aimed at strengthening local governance and improving democratic processes.
One of the significant changes is the removal of the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) from the Constitution. The responsibility for organizing local government elections will now rest with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), a move widely seen as a step toward ensuring more credible and transparent elections at the grassroots level.
The amendments also introduce the Office of the Auditor General for Local Government and establish the State Local Government Service Commission. These measures are intended to enhance accountability and governance at the local level.
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