The adoption of important laws in line with constitutional amendments by the National Assembly has not fully happened in the South-South region of Nigeria.
A survey by the News Agency of Nigeria looked into the implementation of key laws, especially local government autonomy, state electricity, and state police, in Rivers, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom.
The survey found that only Rivers State has implemented two of these laws: local government autonomy and state electricity. The other states have not yet adopted these changes.
In Rivers, a politician named Anchor Ume praised the Martins Amaewhule-led House of Assembly for passing the Rivers State Local Government Law and Local Government Autonomy Bill in 2023. He said this law clearly defines how local councils should operate, giving them more independence and ending the use of caretaker committees.
Ume also mentioned that the state Electricity Bill was passed in 2024. This law gives Rivers the power to generate, transmit, and distribute its own electricity. He noted that due to a serious political clash with the lawmakers, Governor Siminalayi did not sign it. The assembly then used Section 100(5) of the 1999 Constitution to override the governor and ensure the law passed quickly.
He added, "These bold legislative actions eventually placed Rivers at par with its counterparts amid its political peculiarity at the time."
On the issue of state police, Prince Wiro, who is the national coordinator of the Centre for Basic Rights, Protection and Accountability Campaign, expressed hope that Rivers would soon pass this law. Wiro stated that this law is getting more attention from the public and stakeholders than other amendments because of its importance.
He emphasized that the need for a state police law is growing due to rising insecurity across Nigeria. Wiro said, "It is only when there is life that we can talk about infrastructure, development and other necessities. Nigerians are tired of insecurity; we are in a haste to enjoy adequate protection of lives and property."
He also explained that once the Rivers State House of Assembly passes the state police law, it will improve intelligence gathering and local policing.
In Cross River, residents said local government autonomy and electricity reforms have not been put into action, even though there is a legal backing and recent constitutional changes.
Oqua Etim, the spokesman for the Calabar Municipal Council chairman, mentioned that local government autonomy has not been practically implemented. He claimed that the governor still controls council funds through joint accounts, deciding how money is shared among local governments.
Etim pointed out that the recent release of vehicle grants to councillors shows that councils lack financial independence. He added that local government autonomy is only on paper. He stated that many benefits and payments due to local government officials have not been given, despite laws supporting council autonomy.
Castro Ezama, the Special Adviser to former Governor Ben Ayade on Education, also said local government autonomy is mainly theoretical, even after a Supreme Court judgment. He believes direct funding for local governments would boost grassroots development and reduce poverty if fully enforced across Nigeria.
On electricity, he praised President Bola Tinubu for moving power generation to the Concurrent Legislative List, which allows states to generate and distribute electricity. However, he urged state governments to speed up their actions, arguing that cheaper and reliable electricity would lower production costs and enhance business performance.
He mentioned Aba's electricity model as an example that shows how state-led power projects can improve supply. He encouraged other states to take similar steps.
Regarding state policing, Ezama said the hiring process should be done in a way that ensures public trust and effectiveness.
In Akwa Ibom, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on the National Assembly to make sure the constitutional amendment for state police is thorough to prevent abuse.
Sunny James, the NLC chairman in Akwa Ibom, said the labour union sees state police as a positive step that would bring security closer to the people. He said the amendment should ensure that governors do not misuse the police against the citizens and that leaders should act within the law.
James said, "State Police is one item that everyone should welcome. For us in the NLC, it is a welcome development."
He added that the recruitment process should involve local residents and they should work in their own communities to benefit from the state police. He warned against anyone taking control of the state police structure. He believes this formation is good for Nigeria and hopes for its proper implementation.
On local government autonomy, he mentioned that Akwa Ibom is one of the states considering this. He noted that councils are doing well because they are implementing projects while the governor releases funds to them.
However, he said the autonomy is not complete because the money does not go directly into council accounts. He noted that no one is complaining, and things are going well for them.
Mr Clifford Thomas, a lawyer from Uyo, praised the federal government for planning to establish state police but said the National Assembly must ensure there are constitutional safeguards against potential abuse.
Thomas argued that for state police to work well, the National Assembly must remove the immunity clause for governors. He said, "All the governors must become ordinary, so that we can sue them when they abuse the structure of state police."
He also expressed doubt about moving the Correction Service from the Exclusive to the Concurrent List, saying that due to funding issues and challenges in managing inmates, it should stay on the exclusive list. He believes some states will struggle to manage the correctional service due to poor financial management.
Drop your comment
No comments yet — be the first to drop the gist 👇