The practice of governing local governments through caretaker committees appointed by state governments has come under constitutional scrutiny.
According to Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the system mandates local governments to be overseen by democratically elected officials, yet many states have defaulted to using caretaker committees.
This prevalent practice has been influenced by various factors, including insecurity, lack of funds, and political, and legal battles, leading to a widespread inability among states to conduct council polls.
These committees are fast becoming a norm across the federation, effectively replacing elected local government councils.
The issue gained further prominence following a recent Supreme Court ruling on Thursday, which declared it unconstitutional for state governors to retain control over funds allocated for local government administrations.
This landmark judgment raises significant questions about the legality of the routine dismissal of elected local government officials and their replacement with caretaker committees, challenging states to align with constitutional directives to ensure the autonomy and democratic governance of local governments.
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These are the states running local governments with caretaker committees:
1. Rivers – Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara appointed caretaker committees for the 23 local government areas as he continues his battle with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, for control of the political structure in the oil-rich state.
2. Jigawa – On June 28, 2024, the government of Jigawa State dissolved the elected council chairmen of the 27 local governments.
3. Anambra – On June 20, 2024, Governor Charles Soludo, through the House of Assembly, confirmed the appointment of transition committee chairmen and councillors for the 21 local government areas.
4. Zamfara – In Zamfara, the last grassroots poll was held on April 27, 2019, and the State returned to appointees after the chairmen’s tenures expired. In May 2024, the Assembly approved a six-month extension for the caretaker committee.
5. In Benue, however, elections are scheduled to be held on July 6, 2024, for LG council chairmen.
6. Bauchi – Last year, Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, swore in 20 appointed local government area caretaker committee chairmen with their deputies.
7. Plateau – In June 2023, Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau inaugurated the Interim Transition Committee chairpersons for its 17 local government areas at Government House Jos.
8. Abia – In December 2023, Abia Governor Alex Otti, inaugurated the 17 local government transition council chairpersons.
9. Enugu – In March 2024, the Enugu State Government ordered local government chairmen in the 17 councils to hand over the administration to heads of personnel management after the expiration of their tenures.
10. Katsina
11. Kano – In March 2024, Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State recommended names of Interim Management Committee members for Local Government Areas of the state to its House of Assembly for screening and confirmation.
12. Sokoto
13. Yobe – In April 2024, Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, approved the dissolution of all the 17 local government councils of the state, and also directed all local government chairmen to handover the affairs of their respective local governments to Directors of Personnel Management.
14. Ondo – Ondo State Government also constituted Caretaker Committees for the 18 Local Councils and 33 Local Council Development Areas, (LCDA).
15. Osun – In February 2024, the Osun Assembly extended the tenure of office and re-appointed caretaker committees of 30 Local Government Areas and 39 others running the Modakeke Area Office and Local Council Development Areas in the state.
The extension was subsequently secured for the caretaker chairmen, vice chairmen, scribes and their members’ fresh six-month tenure, beginning in February and ending in August 2024.
16. Delta
READ ALSO: 21 states run local govt areas with caretaker committees
17. Akwa-Ibom – Governor Umo Eno last year, through a letter with reference number GHU/AKS/S/104/VOL.1/607, addressed to the Speaker, Hon. Udeme Otong, informed the House of Assembly that there was no provision in the 2023 budget for the conduct of local government elections.
He urged the Assembly to pass a resolution authorising him to set up interim administration at the 31 local government areas at the expiration of the tenure of the elected council officials.
18. Cross River
19. In Imo State, the last council poll was conducted on August 25, 2018, which was the first in seven years.
20. In Kwara State, the last council election was in November 2017, with caretaker committees in charge since 2020.
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