LG autonomy: It’s better to have 774 thieves than 1 big thief – Oshiomhole

Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North senatorial district, has thrown his full weight behind the financial autonomy of local governments in Nigeria.

His advocacy aligns with the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling on July 11, 2024, which reinforced this autonomy, setting a new precedent for local governance in the country.

Addressing participants at a forum on local government autonomy organized by the House of Representatives on Monday, Oshiomhole underscored the importance of effective governance rooted in character and accountability.

The former Governor of Edo State noted that local government chairmen, as the closest officials to the grassroots, shoulder critical responsibilities.

He called for prudent resource management, emphasizing the need to prioritize essential infrastructure and services. “Local governments must focus on providing good roads, well-equipped hospitals, and other public services that directly impact the lives of their communities,” Oshiomhole stated.

On a lighter note, Oshiomhole remarked, “It’s better to have 774 local government chairmen who are thieves than one big thief,” adding that with this every local government in Nigeria will produce one or two billionaires, rather than having just one billionaire in the state.