Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North in the Nigerian Senate, has reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening local governance in the country. The senator spoke passionately about the need for financial independence for local governments during a forum organized by the House of Representatives on Monday.
The discussion followed a landmark ruling by the Supreme Court on July 11, 2024, which upheld the financial autonomy of Nigeria’s local governments. Oshiomhole, a former governor of Edo State, seized the opportunity to highlight why this decision is vital for grassroots development.
“Local governments are closest to the people,” he said. “Their leaders must ensure that public funds are directed toward projects that truly benefit communities, such as roads, healthcare facilities, and education.” He stressed that accountability and good character in leadership are essential to making these changes impactful.
In his remarks, Oshiomhole drew attention with a pointed and humorous statement: “It’s better to have 774 local government chairmen who are thieves than one big thief.”
He explained that with financial independence, every local government has the potential to create economic opportunities for their people, spreading wealth more evenly across the nation.
The senator concluded by urging local government officials to prioritize their responsibilities and ensure public funds are used transparently to foster development at the grassroots level.
