The Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the 2027 election, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, has promised to prioritise the rehabilitation and construction of inner roads across Lagos State, declaring that the roads that matter most to residents are those directly in front of their homes.
Unveiling his 100-point governorship manifesto, titled The Lagos Promise, Hamzat said his proposed administration would work with local governments, Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) and the Lagos State Public Works Corporation (LSPWC) to address the condition of roads within residential communities.
"The road that matters to every Lagosian is the road in front of their house. I will work with local governments, LCDAs and LSPWC to fix all inner roads in Lagos State," he said.
His manifesto, which is built around seven pillars covering people, infrastructure, economic opportunities, governance, inclusion, security and everyday dignity, also contains commitments on healthcare, education, transportation, affordable housing, employment and environmental management.
The candidate's emphasis on neighbourhood roads, however, raises an important question about the actual state of infrastructure development in Lagos. If inner roads remain such a significant concern that they feature prominently in a governorship candidate's campaign promises, it suggests that the state still has considerable work to do in achieving comprehensive road infrastructure development.
There is nothing wrong with prioritising residential roads. In fact, the condition of roads within neighbourhoods directly affects residents' daily lives, businesses, transportation, property values and general economic activities. However, the responsibility for maintaining these roads also brings the question of how effectively local governments are functioning as independent institutions.
THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTONOMY QUESTION
My concern is not necessarily with Hamzat's promise to fix inner roads. Rather, it is with the broader political and administrative implications of a governorship candidate presenting local government responsibilities as a major component of his proposed administration.
Local governments are constitutionally recognised as a tier of government with responsibilities for grassroots development. They should not merely exist as extensions of state governments or administrative structures waiting for directives from governors.
The question is simple: if local governments are genuinely autonomous, adequately funded and allowed to function independently, why should their ability to address basic neighbourhood infrastructure depend so heavily on promises made by governorship candidates?
Hamzat's declaration that he will work with local governments and LCDAs to fix inner roads makes collaboration necessary, but it also raises questions about the level of independence these institutions currently enjoy and how much control state governments exercise over their operations.
This is particularly important because Lagos operates a structure involving 20 constitutionally recognised local government areas and 37 LCDAs. The existence of these additional development areas does not automatically translate into genuine administrative and financial independence.
THE HYPOCRISY IN THE AUTONOMY DEBATE
I find the situation particularly interesting when compared with the political arguments surrounding local government autonomy in Oyo State.
There is often considerable political rhetoric about grassroots development, local government independence and the need to allow councils to function effectively. Yet, across the country, the practical implementation of genuine local government autonomy remains a subject of serious concern.
The Supreme Court's July 2024 judgment on local government financial autonomy was a significant intervention in this debate, particularly regarding direct allocation of funds to local governments and the restriction of state governments from controlling their finances through arrangements that undermine their independence.
However, a judicial pronouncement and political declarations are not the same as practical implementation.
As things stand, no state government should be quick to declare victory on local government autonomy without demonstrating that its councils enjoy genuine financial independence, administrative freedom and the capacity to make decisions and execute projects without unnecessary political interference.
The real test of autonomy is not how frequently politicians talk about it. It is whether local governments can receive and manage their funds, determine their development priorities, execute projects and answer directly to the people at the grassroots.
Ultimately, fixing the road in front of every resident's house should not be a favour from a governor or a campaign promise that residents must wait until an election before hearing.
It should be part of an effective system of grassroots governance.
Whether in Lagos or Oyo State, the question remains: are we building genuinely independent local governments, or simply maintaining a political arrangement in which governors remain the ultimate decision-makers over virtually everything happening at the grassroots?
0 Comments