“The appointment of personal aides by local government chairmen in Kwara State is a symptom of a broader problem of patronage and clientelism in Nigerian politics.
— Dr. Abubakar Jimoh
By Abdul Alli, Abuja
When the Supreme Court granted local government councils in Nigeria full autonomy, it was heralded as a watershed moment in grassroots governance. For the people of Kwara State, it was a long-awaited opportunity to reshape their communities, prioritize development, and address decades of neglect. However, recent developments in Kwara’s local government councils suggest that the autonomy, rather than empowering citizens, is being abused by those entrusted with it.
The Elites Network for Sustainable Development (ENetSuD), an anti-corruption civil society organization renowned for its advocacy in Kwara State, has raised the alarm over the extravagance and mismanagement by local government chairmen. ENetSuD has described the appointment of numerous political aides by local government chairmen as “needless, extravagant, and a breach of trust.”
In the recent time, Social media has been awash with reports of LG chairmen in Kwara State appointing aides to newly created positions such as Chief of Staff, Chief Press Secretary, Chief Security Officer, and an array of Special Advisers covering areas as diverse as legislative matters, women’s affairs, agriculture, and even religion. These positions, according to ENetSuD, are not recognized under the Kwara State Local Government Law No. 3 of 2006.
Instead, the law limits the local government executive committee to a chairman, vice-chairman, supervisors (a maximum of five), and a secretary. Supervisors, as stipulated, are tasked with overseeing specific departments and ensuring the execution of projects. Yet, these statutory roles remain vacant as chairmen bypass legal frameworks to prioritize political appointments.
Adding to the controversy is the governor’s appointment of development officers for each local government—a move ENetSuD describes as redundant and “questionable.”
Kwara’s local governments are financially constrained, with ENetSuD’s analysis of financial data from 2020 to 2023 painting a bleak picture. Many councils are reportedly bankrupt, surviving on allocations from other LGs to cover basic expenses.
In this context, the decision to splurge on political appointees is perplexing. According to ENetSuD, most local governments spend beyond their annual income, prioritizing the payment of “irrelevant and needless political office holders” over pressing developmental needs.
“Rather than making aggressive efforts to reposition their LGs for viability that will deliver good governance to the citizens, the LG councils have prioritized extravagant expenditures,” the organization noted.
The implications of these actions go beyond financial mismanagement. By neglecting the statutory appointment of supervisors, local government chairmen are undermining the functionality of their councils. Supervisors, as political heads of departments, are crucial for the effective management of resources and implementation of projects. ENetSuD questioned why these mandated positions remain unfilled while irrelevant roles proliferate.
“This practice is not only concerning but also calls for close questioning,” said AbdulRazaq Olayemi, ENetSuD’s Deputy Coordinator for Special Duties.
Reacting to this development, a Political Scientist, a lecturer in the Departmemnt of Political Science, University of Abuja, Dr Abubakar Jimoh, in his reaction said,
“The appointment of personal aides by local government chairmen in Kwara State is a symptom of a broader problem of patronage and clientelism in Nigerian politics.
According to Alhaji Jimoh, “This practice undermines the principles of good governance, accountability, and transparency. It’s essential to address the root causes of this issue, such as the lack of effective oversight mechanisms and the culture of impunity that pervades our political system.”
In his own reaction, Mr Benjamin Adeoti, is a politician and a member of PDP in Kwara South stated that: “This is a clear case of mismanagement of public resources and abuse of office. The chairmen of local governments in Kwara State are more interested in empowering their cronies and loyalists than in providing essential services to the people. We demand that the state government takes immediate action to investigate these appointments and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.”
A Kwara born and Abuja-based businessman, Alhaji Abdulwaheed Oyerinde, who is an Economist said in his reaction, “The appointment of personal aides by local government chairmen in Kwara State is an example of how public resources are being wasted on non-essential expenditures.
“This practice not only drains the public purse but also undermines the effectiveness of local governments in delivering essential services to the people.
According to Alhaji Oyerinde, “It’s essential to ensure that public resources are allocated efficiently and effectively to promote economic growth and development.”
At the heart of this issue is a breach of public trust. The promise of autonomy was to empower local governments to deliver on their mandates, not to create opportunities for political patronage. ENetSuD’s findings are a stark reminder that autonomy without accountability is a recipe for disaster.
The organization has called on local government councils to refocus their efforts on solving the financial and developmental challenges facing their communities. They urged chairmen to adhere strictly to the provisions of the law and to channel resources toward viable projects that improve the lives of their constituents.
To restore public confidence, Kwara’s local governments must make tough but necessary decisions. Prioritizing the appointment of statutory supervisors over unnecessary aides is a starting point. Transparency and citizen engagement in governance processes are equally critical.
Kwara’s citizens, too, have a role to play. Active participation in local government affairs and holding leaders accountable can help curb the excesses of the political class. After all, autonomy is not just for the leaders—it is for the people they serve.
As Kwara State navigates this critical period, the lessons are clear: leadership at the grassroots level must align with the principles of good governance. Anything less is a disservice to the vision of autonomy and the promise of progress it holds.
