Since the comeback of democracy in Nigeria in 1999, local governments councils that are supposed to be the closest to the people became the farthest courtesy of the state governors, through the joint account system.
Through this system, the governors only release a paltry amount to the chairmen for the payment of salaries and nothing more.
But recently, the government of President Tinubu through the attorney general of the federation has dragged the 36 State governors to the supreme court seeking for an autonomy of the local governments councils to enable them deliver the dividends of democracy and to also perform optimally at the grassroot levels.
Many Nigerians including Francis Onabis have applauded the federal government for taking the bold steps in putting things right.
Onabis says “it is commendable that president Tinubu the right initiative to install autonomy to the grassroots.
He said the process in which state governors fleece the local governments of funds became so appealing and detrimental to the rural dwellers.
Onabis, an Edo State born politician who has been at the helms of Stillwater and Next2sun companies among others is pleading on Nigerians to support the federal government saying “Nigerian governors have been depriving the local governments of funds and rendering them helpless” adding that “the autonomy for the local governments is the right step towards achieving full democratic governance in Nigeria”.