By Patrick Titus, Uyo
Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has called on the National Assembly to commence the amendment of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended, to address the current realities in the country, especially the grassroots governance and development.
This was contained in a communique issued at the end its 2025 Annual Conference tagged: “The State of Local Government Administration in Nigeria, using Akwa Ibom State as a case study” held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The Conference, in the communique, noted the functions of the 774 local government councils as the third tier of the government of the Nigerian federation as enshrined in the Constitution but which functions have not been felt in the grassroots due to the lacuna left in the Constitution.
It also noted the judgement of the Supreme Court of Nigeria with respect to the financial autonomy of the 774 Local Governments, but observed with dismay, the fact that state governments still have total control of local governments irrespective of the Supreme Court judgement.
Accordingly, the conference called on the National Assembly to urgently amend Section 162(6) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), to reflect the Supreme Court judgement by providing direct funding of the 774 local government councils from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) as against the “State Joint Local Government Account” created by the said Section 162(6) which the state governments are using as an avenue to take full control of the local governments funds”
In Akwa Ibom State, the conference noted that while there is a spirited attempt by several local government councils to interpret their roles effectively, there’s a near absence of grassroots governance in many of the 31 local government councils of the state despite the huge monthly federal allocations to the local governments.
While the conference acknowledged the public declarations by the Governor of Akwa Ibom state, to the effect that the funds of the local governments from the FAAC goes directly to the Local Governments account untouched by the state government under his administration.
It observed with dismay that the Local Governments in the state are bereft of physical presence of developments and infrastructure and have become poverty brewing centers.
The Conference observed that majority of the 31 executive chairmen of the local governments are not residing at their respective local government areas in order to provide the needed grassroot governance and developments to the people at their local governments.
In order to assess the performance of the 31 executive chairmen of the local government councils in Akwa Ibom State, the conference called on the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno to carry out an urgent tour of the 31 local governments with members of the civil society organisations and the Press, in order to have a firsthand information of the management of funds, transparency and accountability in respect of funds accrued to the 31 local governments from FAAC by the council chairmen in the past one year of their stewardship.
The conference also invited the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly to urgently carry out its constitutional legislative oversight function of the 31 local governments by embarking on tour of the respective local governments with members of the civil society organisations and the press, in order to have a firsthand information of the management of funds, transparency and accountability in respect of funds accrued to the 31 local governments from FAAC by the council chairmen in the past one year of their stewardship.
That Local Government Councils in Akwa Ibom State domesticate the Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency law to enable them focus more attention in environment sanitation protection, and waste management issues in the local Government Areas.
The conference advocated for the restructuring of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs with a view to repositioning it for effective service delivery, particularly by making the local government councils to be responsible in the affairs of chieftaincy, so that the welfare and well-being of the Paramount Rulers, clan heads, village heads, family heads and other Chieftaincy Affairs can be handled by the local government council Chairmen who will only be accountable to the Governor’s office.
The communique was countersigned by Otuekong Franklyn Isong, Director, Center for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN); Comrade Ifot N. Ifot Chief, Executive Officer, Peoples’ Rights To Life Development Foundation (PERLDEF) & Chairman of the Communique Drafting Committee and Comrade Victor David, Executive Director, Vital Partners For Development (VPD) and Secretary of the Communique, Drafting Committee.
Others who signed include Comrade Ekarika Samuel, Chairman, Committee For the Defence Of Human Rights (CDHR), Comrade Gideon Usen, Director, Civil Society Network For Development; Comrade Ime Udoh
Coordinating, Center for Human Rights;
Comrade Helen Ubit, Executive Director, Theolight Global Foundation (TGF) and Comrade (Barr.) Ubiere Harrison Executive Director, Treasure Advocate.
The one-day CSOs conference which was chaired by the former National Legal Adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Emmanuel Enoidem, SAN.
The Keynote Speaker was a Chief Lecturer, Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic and Founder of Uyo Book Club, Dr. Udeme Nana.
The Guest of Honour was the member representing Ibiono Ibom State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and Chairman, House Committee on Health, Hon. Moses Essien.
While a renowned Professor of Communication Arts, Professor Desmond Wilson served as the Father of the day, while the Mother of the Day was the Chairman of Ibeno Local Government Area, Deaconess Gloria Ekah-Effiong served as the mother of the day.
Participants were160 groups drawn from civil society organisations, human rights groups, non-governmental organisations, professionals bodies, trade unions, community based organisations, religious groups and students unions, leaders of thoughts, the security agencies, the Press and members of the public.
Other critical stakeholders who attended the 2025 Conference included; The Commissioner of Police in the State, CP Baba Mohammed Azare in a representative capacity; the State Director of Service of the Department of State Services (DSS), Adedoyin Adetuberu, in a representative capacity; a former Attorney-General of Akwa Ibom State and Commissioner for Justice, Chief Victor Iyanam; among others.
