Senator Chris Ngige, the former Minister of Labour and Employment under the Muhammadu Buhari administration, has accused some local government chairmen of being more corrupt than governors.

He claimed that certain council leaders are focused on acquiring luxury estates in Abuja, Lagos, and even overseas, rather than investing in critical public services such as healthcare and education in their communities.

Ngige pointed out that many local governments have failed to pay teachers and healthcare workers for months, despite the pressing need for infrastructure like schools and hospitals.

Speaking at the 29th annual general meeting (AGM) and scientific conference of the Association of Urological Surgeons, Nigeria (NAUS) in Enugu, Ngige lamented the neglect of over 15,000 primary healthcare centres, which were originally built as constituency projects.

He called on State Economic Planning Boards to act quickly and refurbish these centres, emphasizing the importance of local government in Nigeria’s healthcare system, which was foundational to the primary healthcare initiative pioneered by former Health Minister Prof. Olikoye Ransome-Kuti.

Ngige also took aim at the Supreme Court’s ruling on local government financial autonomy, urging the court to revisit its decision.

According to Ngige, the judgment undermines the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and he argued that it wrongly alters Section 7, which places local governments under the control of state governments.

He recalled a similar Supreme Court ruling in 2006 that rejected federal interference in local government funds, which had been challenged by the attorneys general of Lagos, Abia, and Delta states against President Olusegun Obasanjo’s 2005 Local Government Account Monitoring Committee Act.

The former minister voiced his opposition to direct payments from the federal government to local governments without necessary deductions for essential items such as salaries, pensions, and traditional rulers’ allowances.

Ngige described the Supreme Court’s decision as not only unconstitutional but also harmful, suggesting that it “throws away the baby with the dirty bathwater.”

Ngige also criticized the failure of the local government system, blaming the passivity of State Houses of Assembly and the failure of governors to uphold constitutional provisions related to local government.

He highlighted that many states had not established democratically elected councils or economic planning boards, both of which are mandated under Section 7 of the Constitution.

Ngige argued that local governments would function better if governors adhered to the law and if the Houses of Assembly held them accountable.

Drawing from his time as governor of Anambra State, Ngige recalled how, between 1999 and 2002, local government chairmen across Nigeria were guilty of withholding salaries, pensions, and allowances, thus further exacerbating the dysfunction within the local government system.

Ngige emphasized the need for greater adherence to the rule of law and accountability at the state level in order for Nigeria’s local government system to function effectively and serve the people’s needs.

Senator Chris Ngige, former Governor of Anambra State, has called on the Supreme Court to revisit its ruling on local government financial autonomy, arguing that the decision undermines the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

Ngige, who served as the Minister for Labour and Employment from 2015 to 2023, emphasized that the judgment effectively invalidates Section 7 of the Constitution, which places local government areas under state control.

He reminded the court of a 2006 ruling in which the Supreme Court had previously cautioned the Federal Government against interfering with state control over local government funds.

Speaking as the guest lecturer at the 29th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Scientific Conference of the Association of Urological Surgeons, Nigeria (NAUS) in Enugu, Ngige reflected on his experiences as a governor and expressed his disagreement with the direct payment of federal allocations to local governments, without first deducting salaries, pensions, and other statutory obligations for local government workers and traditional rulers.

He recalled that during his tenure as governor from 1999 to 2002, many local government chairmen across Nigeria owed months of salary arrears, and instead of investing in community development, they sought personal luxuries.

Ngige pointed out that some local government leaders were even more corrupt than the state governors themselves, often misappropriating funds that should have gone to improve public services like healthcare and education.

Ngige criticized the Supreme Court’s ruling as contrary to the Constitution, stating that the Constitution clearly defines the boundaries of governmental powers in Nigeria.

He highlighted that Nigeria operates with only two federating bodies: the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with the Federal Government at the top.

Local governments, he explained, are subordinate to the states, with state assemblies tasked with making laws regarding local government structures and finances.

The former minister also dismissed the idea that Nigeria has three tiers of government, pointing out that there are multiple levels of government in the country, including traditional and emirate councils in various regions, as well as town and village governments.

Ngige attributed the failure of local governments in Nigeria to the inaction of state assemblies and governors, who have often diverted local government funds for personal gain, rather than using them for public welfare.

He expressed disappointment that state assemblies have failed to hold governors accountable when they overstep their constitutional powers, thus enabling the continued failure of the local government system.

He further emphasized that the local government system could only thrive if governors adhered to the law, and state assemblies became more active in ensuring that local governments are properly funded and structured.

Ngige advocated for the establishment of economic planning boards at the local government level, which would ensure that funds are properly allocated for essential services like healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

Reflecting on his time as governor, Ngige shared how he successfully tackled salary arrears and improved the primary healthcare system in Anambra State by creating an economic planning board that included local government chairmen.

This allowed for better coordination and allocation of resources, ensuring that local governments were better equipped to meet their financial obligations and improve public services.

Ngige also expressed concern over the abandonment of thousands of primary healthcare centers built as constituency projects across the country.

He called on state governments and economic planning boards to prioritize these abandoned facilities and revamp them to improve access to primary healthcare.

The former minister further blamed state health commissioners for the failure of the primary healthcare system, despite the National Health Act of 2014, which he had helped champion in the Senate.

He lamented that states and local governments have failed to fulfill their financial obligations in healthcare, contributing to the continued deterioration of public health services.

Ngige urged medical professionals to take a more active role in governance, especially at the local government level, where they could have the most direct impact on improving the health and wellbeing of the population.

The Nigerian Senate has refuted reports claiming that it abandoned the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who represented Anambra South Senatorial District in the 9th and 10th Senate.

Ubah, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), passed away on July 26, 2024.

In a statement issued on Sunday by Senator Yemi Adaramodu, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, the Senate dismissed as false recent claims that it neglected its late colleague’s burial arrangements.

The statement clarified that the Senate had honored Ubah properly and according to protocol.

“The Nigerian Senate has described as untrue the recent news circulating about the Senate’s failure to participate in the burial of our late colleague, Ifeanyi Ubah,” it read.

The Senate emphasized that a historic tribute session was dedicated to Ubah, marking the first time in the National Assembly’s history that a full legislative day was set aside to honor a departed member.

Ubah’s seat was draped with the national flag, a gesture of respect for his contributions to the Senate and to his constituency.

Further addressing the allegations, the statement outlined the Senate’s actions following Ubah’s death.

Upon hearing the news, the Senate immediately extended condolences to Ubah’s family and the people of Anambra State.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio led a delegation of principal officers and members to the Lagos home of the late senator to personally express their sympathies to his widow and children.

Almost 100 Senators attended a valedictory session in Ubah’s honor, during which tributes were paid to his legacy as a philanthropist, businessman, and politician.

Additionally, a significant number of Senators were present in Nnewi for the funeral, representing the Senate at the burial.

The Senate statement called the media’s portrayal of its actions as an “abandonment” as misguided, stating that the expectation that Senators should have flooded Nnewi in a public display of mourning was unreasonable.

“It is absurd that anyone would suggest that the Senate failed to honor Senator Ifeanyi Ubah,” the statement concluded.

The Catholic Archbishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Kukah, has labeled President Bola Tinubu, former President Muhammadu Buhari, and other past Nigerian leaders as products of an “accidental leadership cycle,” stating that many of them assumed power without adequate preparation.

Delivering a keynote address on Sunday during the commissioning of the new Start-Rite School building and the 4th Amaka Ndoma-Egba Memorial Lecture in Abuja, Kukah reflected on the country’s leadership history, noting a recurring pattern of unpreparedness among Nigeria’s leaders.

Kukah remarked, “If we look at Nigeria’s leadership journey, you will find that almost every leader who came to power did so by accident.”

He cited examples, including President Tinubu, who, despite claiming to be well-prepared for leadership, is facing significant challenges.

He noted that Tinubu inherited a disengaged administration from Buhari, who had already retreated from active governance.

Bishop Kukah further pointed out the lack of foresight among previous leaders, mentioning that former President Goodluck Jonathan unexpectedly became president after the sudden death of Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

Jonathan himself succeeded Obasanjo, who had been released from prison and was thrust into leadership.

The list of Nigerian leaders, according to Kukah, shows a trend of individuals rising to power due to unforeseen circumstances, rather than through careful planning or preparation.

The archbishop stressed that while Nigeria has embraced democratic principles such as “one man, one vote,” the country’s democratic system has yet to yield effective and competent leadership.

He argued that modern governance requires a deep understanding of the evolving global landscape and the complexities of leadership.

During the event, the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, also spoke about the importance of early leadership development, acknowledging that many of Nigeria’s challenges stem from poor leadership and accountability.

Marwa shared a shocking revelation about a drug cartel involving visually impaired individuals.

He explained that the NDLEA had uncovered a network where blind individuals were trafficking drugs. In one instance, a blind man was arrested while transporting cannabis, and subsequent investigations led to the discovery of other visually impaired individuals involved in the illegal trade.

The NDLEA chairman also honored Senator Ndoma-Egba, the founder of Start-Rite School, for organizing the lecture in memory of his late wife, Amaka Ndoma-Egba.

He praised Amaka Ndoma-Egba’s vision in establishing the school, which was founded in 2008 with only seven students and has since grown to serve over 800 students across various educational levels.

The event underscored the need for a renewed focus on leadership development and education as crucial components in addressing Nigeria’s governance issues and societal challenges.

Chukwuma, an aspirant for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2025 Anambra governorship election, has vowed to tackle the issues of insecurity and the disruptive Monday sit-at-home orders in the state.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday in Umueri, Anambra East Local Government Area, Chukwuma emphasized his commitment to using local resources and strategies to address these challenges.

The former National Auditor of the APC outlined that his governance plan would prioritize the safety and security of the citizens, promising that all security actions would be in strict compliance with the rule of law.

“In dealing with insecurity, I will not support anything that violates the laws of our land,” he stated.

Chukwuma expressed his concern over the ongoing cult violence and the detrimental effects of the Monday sit-at-home order, which he said has led to the loss of many lives and destroyed countless properties.

He highlighted how these issues have also negatively affected the state’s educational and economic sectors, noting that businesses have suffered due to insecurity and the disruption of the workweek.

“We need to create an environment that encourages investment, both local and foreign. No investor will risk their money in a place where businesses can’t operate freely, especially when operations are halted on Mondays,” he stressed.

Chukwuma added that security should be the top priority of any government that truly cares about the well-being of its people.

To address insecurity, Chukwuma proposed revitalizing Anambra’s existing vigilante law, which was amended in 2015, and ensuring it is fully enforced.

He also emphasized the importance of community involvement in maintaining safety, suggesting that local leaders should be aware of visitors and their purposes in their communities.

“Criminal activities usually happen within communities, not in isolation,” he said.

Chukwuma also stressed the need for a community intelligence system, where information would be shared between local security agencies, such as the Nigeria Police, and the communities themselves.

Additionally, he proposed tackling unemployment as a key step in reducing youth restiveness and curbing criminal activities.

Another key area of focus for Chukwuma’s proposed administration is agriculture.

He pointed out that food insecurity is closely linked to social instability, and investing in agriculture would help ensure food security for both the state and the nation.

“When people are hungry, it threatens security,” he said, emphasizing the importance of agricultural development to address hunger and improve livelihoods.

To further improve security, Chukwuma proposed a comprehensive plan for mapping streets and homes, ensuring that the authorities can easily identify property owners and occupants.

“This will help security agencies identify and track individuals and their residences more efficiently,” he explained.