The Lagos State House of Assembly has urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to direct the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development to develop a framework for independent financing of local government legislatures.
The resolution followed a motion moved by Hon. Sani Okanlawon during Tuesday’s plenary, presided over by Speaker Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa.
The lawmakers also called for capacity-building training to improve councillors’ financial management skills.
Speaker Obasa raised concern over reports that some former council chairmen still control finances in their councils through Council Managers and Treasurers who remain account signatories after leadership changes.
In his motion, Okanlawon stressed that granting financial autonomy to councillors would strengthen grassroots democracy and prevent undue influence from the executive arm.
He noted that the 1999 Constitution recognises the local government legislature as a key pillar of governance with law-making, oversight, and representative roles.
The Assembly directed its Committee on Local Government Administration, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development to initiate a self-accounting law for council legislatures.
Supporting the motion, Hon. Solomon Bonu (Badagry I) praised President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to strengthen grassroots democracy, while Hon. Desmond Elliot insisted that the Assembly’s reforms would be incomplete without legislative autonomy.
Hon. Akinsanya Nureni added that financial independence would help local legislatures function responsibly and without external interference.
