Debo Adeniran, Executive Chairman, Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders, CACOL has described those calling for the scraping of local government authorities as mischievous.
Adeniran also said if there is any tier of government to be scraped, it should be the state government to pave way for effective grassroots governance.
Adeniran made the statement yesterday in an exclusive interview with TELL at his office in Agbado area of Lagos State.
He was reacting to calls by members of the Committee on Devolution of Power and Restructuring at the on-going National Conference that the existing 774 local governments in the country be scrapped. Members of the Committee were also against calls for the creation of state police.
According to the anti corruption crusader, scrapping the local government is totally taking government away from the people. He said such a move might spell doom for the people.
Adeniran who agreed with the position of the committee on the issue of state police said, experience has shown lately that if “state governments are given such authority, it will be used against the people.”
On the other hand, Monday Onyekachi Ubani, a lawyer and chairman, Nigeria Bar Association, NBA Ikeja branch, Lagos, disagreed with Adeniran when he said, “If state police is not created, the fight against insecurity will never stop.”
Ubani said in order to address fears of abuse, proper structures like legal valves should be put on ground for effectiveness and proper monitoring of the scheme.
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