Senator calls for removal of LG as third tier of govt

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Review of the Constitution’s Southeast Zone, Senator Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi, has proposed amending the Nigerian Constitution to remove local government as the third tier of government, granting states the authority to create and manage their own councils. Speaking on Arise TV’s morning show on Tuesday, Nwebonyi argued that […]

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Review of the Constitution’s Southeast Zone, Senator Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi, has proposed amending the Nigerian Constitution to remove local government as the third tier of government, granting states the authority to create and manage their own councils.

Speaking on Arise TV’s morning show on Tuesday, Nwebonyi argued that the current arrangement entrenches inequality and slows grassroots development.

“It is high time we remove local government as a third tier of government in Nigeria,” he said. “If we continue with the current structure, the problem of imbalance in the number of local governments across states will persist, drawing us backwards.”

He pointed to disparities in council numbers as a source of agitation, noting: “Kano has over 40 local government areas, whereas Bayelsa has only eight and Ebonyi has 13. Such grievances will be endless.”

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The senator said constitutional provisions make it “difficult, if not impossible” for local governments to operate independently, as State Houses of Assembly remain under governors’ control despite their autonomy.

“It’s better we shift this control statutorily to state governments and hold them responsible for developing their local councils,” he added.

On state creation, Nwebonyi explained that Section 8 of the Constitution provides for a formal request, a referendum requiring two-thirds approval from affected residents, and subsequent approvals by State Houses of Assembly, the National Assembly, and the President.

He disclosed that 61 proposals for new states have been received from across the six geopolitical zones but argued that priority should go to the Southeast to correct “zonal imbalance.” Among the requests from the region are Adada, Aba, Anim and Anioma states.

Responding to claims that proponents of Anioma State were sidelined during public hearings, Nwebonyi insisted all presentations were heard.

“It is wrong to say they were not given the opportunity to ventilate their agitations,” he said.

He stressed that leadership quality, rather than natural resources alone, would determine the viability of any new state.

“We cannot expect angels from heaven to come and make Nigeria better. You and I can do it,” he said.