Adamu Garba: Scrap Local Governments, They’re Governors’ ATMs

Former presidential aspirant under the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adamu Garba, has called for the scrapping of Nigeria’s local government system, describing it as a “money-sharing, paper-only structure” that functions largely as an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) for state governors.

In a statement shared on his X page, Garba argued that the Supreme Court’s ruling on local government autonomy was practically impossible to enforce, given the entrenched control governors wield over the councils.

“One of the most inefficient, ineffective back pockets of some state governors is the local government councils,” he said. “Local governments take their legislation from state assemblies and you know what that means. Autonomy or not, LGs remain ATMs for governors.”

Garba further claimed that Nigeria’s three-tier government structure is unique globally and has failed in practice. “In reality, there is no country on earth that has a third tier of government except Nigeria. Since it proved to be non-workable, why not scrap it?” he asked.

Instead of persisting with what he termed a dysfunctional system, Garba proposed transferring local government responsibilities to traditional rulers. According to him, this would align governance more closely with culture and community needs.

“Instead of struggling to get constitutional authority for our traditional rulers, they should be handed the local government councils and allowed to run them in line with the traditions and culture of their people,” he added.