“It’s Better to Have 774 Thieves Than One Big Thief” – Oshiomhole Backs Local Government Autonomy

Adams Oshiomhole, Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, has made a compelling case for granting financial autonomy to local governments in Nigeria, emphasizing that decentralization is key to grassroots development. Speaking at a forum on local government autonomy organized by the House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, Oshiomhole underscored the need for equitable resource distribution and local accountability.

The forum followed a landmark Supreme Court ruling on July 11, 2024, granting financial independence to local government councils. Oshiomhole described the ruling as a significant step toward strengthening governance and ensuring community growth.

During his address, the former Edo State governor emphasized the importance of character and accountability in public resource management. He highlighted the pivotal role local government chairmen play due to their direct connection with their communities, urging them to prioritize critical projects such as roads, hospitals, and essential infrastructure.

In his characteristically candid style, Oshiomhole quipped, “It’s better to have 774 local government chairmen who are thieves than one big thief.” He argued that decentralizing financial control enables wealth distribution across communities, creating opportunities and fostering grassroots development rather than concentrating resources in a few hands.