Constitutional lawyer Professor Anthony Agbazuere has said the slow implementation of local government autonomy in Nigeria cannot be attributed solely to politics, stressing that multiple institutions share responsibility for the process.
Speaking during an interview on Arise TV, Agbazuere said the implementation of the Supreme Court’s judgment on local government autonomy requires the cooperation of the Presidency, the National Assembly, state governments, and other relevant authorities.
“The delay in implementing local government autonomy cannot be blamed on politics alone,” he said, noting that responsibility extends beyond political considerations.
Agbazuere expressed concern that, despite the Supreme Court’s ruling, the expected reforms have yet to be fully implemented, a development that has continued to generate public debate.
He added that effective implementation of the judgment depends on collaboration across all levels of government and should be carried out within a reasonable timeframe.
The constitutional lawyer also disclosed that he had written to President Bola Tinubu, proposing measures to help advance the implementation process. He maintained that local government autonomy is a critical constitutional issue whose timely implementation is essential to strengthening grassroots governance, democratic institutions, and the rule of law.
