Legislature

A Civil Society Organisation, African Centre For Leadership, Strategy and Development, said it would solicit support, including engaging the media for the passage of the bill on local government autonomy.

The CSO stated this in a communique issued in Kaduna on Friday, signed by the Director of the centre, Mr Monday Osasah.

The communique followed a one-day round table with the media on local government autonomy in Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the round table was organised with support of Christian Aid.

Osasah said there must be synergy between the media, CSOs and the communities in pushing for the passage of the bill.

” Autonomy of the local government since the return of democratic governance in Nigeria has continued to be increasingly difficult to realize .

“There is the continued tendency of state governments interfering in the political/administrative and financial affairs of the local governments.

‘’The citizens especially at the grassroots will be the ultimate beneficiaries of the ongoing effort at amending the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria with regard to the LG Autonomy.

“As the embodiment of the entirety of the people of Nigeria, citizens’ participation and engagement in this process will demonstrate participatory democracy,’’ the director stated.

He said engagement in the process include advocating and lobbying people’s representatives as the opportunity presents itself .