Adamu Garba: Local Governments Are ATMs of Governors
Former presidential aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adamu Garba, has stirred controversy by describing local government councils in Nigeria as nothing more than “Automated Teller Machines (ATMs)” for state governors.
According to Garba, local governments have become ineffective, operating merely as “paper-only, money-sharing” structures controlled by governors and state assemblies.
Call for Scrapping Local Governments in Nigeria
In a statement posted on his X (formerly Twitter) page, Garba argued that it is practically impossible to implement the Supreme Court ruling on local government autonomy because of the way councils are tied to state assemblies.
“One of the most inefficient, ineffective back pockets of some state governors is the local government councils. Autonomy or not, the LGs are still ATMs of some state governors,” he wrote.
He further questioned Nigeria’s political structure, claiming that no other country in the world operates a third tier of government like Nigeria does.
“Since it proved to be non-workable, why not scrap it?” Garba asked.
Transfer Local Government Powers to Traditional Rulers
Garba proposed that instead of maintaining what he views as a dysfunctional local government system, powers should be transferred to traditional rulers who can run local governance based on cultural values and traditions.
“Instead of struggling to get constitutional authority to our traditional rulers, they should be handed over the local government councils and let them run it according to the local culture and tradition of the people within their domain,” he suggested.
Debate on Local Government Autonomy Intensifies
Garba’s comments come amid renewed debates following the Supreme Court’s ruling in favour of local government autonomy. While some argue that granting councils independence will strengthen grassroots governance, others, like Garba, believe the system is inherently flawed and should be replaced.
Conclusion
Adamu Garba’s proposal to scrap local governments and empower traditional rulers has reignited discussions on the relevance of Nigeria’s third tier of government. The debate highlights deep divisions on whether autonomy should be strengthened or the system dismantled altogether in favour of traditional institutions.
