Senator representing Edo North and ex-governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, has defended local government autonomy and the law stopping state governors from accessing the monthly federal allocation meant for the third tier of government.

Mr Oshiomole spoke on Monday at a forum on LG autonomy organised by the House of Representatives committee on the review of the 1999 Constitution.

According to the former governor, rather than having governors control and squander the funds, the 774 LG chairmen in Nigeria should be allowed to do so themselves, because it would benefit the citizens at the grass-roots more.

“If we want to reduce local government stealing money, I have argued that it’s better to have 774 thieves, with each local government producing one or two billionaires, than to have one big one taking everything,” said Mr Oshiomole, in response to concerns that LG autonomy would embolden the chairmen to divert the funds.

He said, “The issue we have to address is about character. Whether money allocated to local government chairmen is stolen or shared with other non-state actors and abused regulations, what will change? If we transfer money directly to the local government, will that mean more development at the local government level? That, for me, is a matter of character. I am completely for local government autonomy.’’

Mr Oshiomhole, who added that anyone entrusted with power must account for it, was hopeful that the National Assembly would review the legal framework to make it easier to punish an LG chairman, rather than a governor who cannot be punished until after expiration of his tenure.