In a recent report, Dr. Adetokunbo Pearse, a public affairs analyst and convener of Reset Lagos, expressed skepticism about the federal government’s motives in empowering local governments.
Pearse suggests that the government’s actions are politically motivated, aimed at creating a narrative that state governments are mismanaging funds. By providing direct financial allocations to local governments, the federal authorities are positioning themselves as supporters of local governance.
This strategy, Pearse argues, allows the president to exert greater influence and control over local councils, securing their loyalty and consolidating power at the grassroots level. The direct allocation of funds positions the federal government as a benefactor, leading to increased dependence and allegiance from local councils.
Pearse believes this move is a calculated effort to prepare for future political ambitions, particularly the 2027 elections. The president is allegedly seeking to ensure that local councils are beholden to him, strengthening his political base.
Pearse urges vigilance and critical examination of these moves to understand their long-term impact on the country’s political landscape. “Why is the federal government doing this?” he asks. “Firstly, they want to give the impression that the state government is not doing anything and they are just using the local government money for themselves. This law wants to empower local governments so that they can be getting their money directly. It is only a strategy of who pays the piper calls the tune.”
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