The Lagos State House of Assembly has urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to direct the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to develop a framework for the independent financing of local government legislatures.
The resolution, adopted at Tuesday’s plenary presided over by Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, also called on the governor to support council autonomy and provide councillors with training in financial management.
The motion was sponsored by Ganiu Sanni (Kosofe 1), who argued that local government legislatures—recognised by the 1999 Constitution as a key arm of grassroots democracy—should not depend on the executive for funding. He warned that the current system undermines separation of powers and leaves councillors vulnerable to undue influence.
Speaker Obasa echoed the call, stressing that financial independence would strengthen governance at the grassroots. He raised concerns that some former local government chairmen allegedly continue to exert financial control through council managers and treasurers, with some still listed as signatories to council accounts even after leaving office.
Obasa urged stakeholders to act swiftly to address what he described as an anomaly.
