Former Minister of Communications, Dr. Adebayo Shittu, has blamed Nigeria’s persistent governance challenges on the failure of political leaders to implement constitutional provisions effectively, accusing some state governors of undermining local government autonomy and calling for greater accountability in the management of public funds.
The lawyer and politician argued that although Nigeria’s Constitution may require amendments in certain areas, the actions of political officeholders remain a major obstacle to effective governance.
“There is never a perfect constitution,” Shittu said, noting that the 1999 Constitution provides for amendments whenever the need arises. He urged Nigerians who identify shortcomings in the constitutional framework to pursue appropriate changes through the National Assembly.
Speaking on Tuesday, September 29, during an interview on frontline, a current afffairs programme on Eagle 102.5 fm, Ilese Ijebu, Shittu accused some state governors of interfering with the independence of local councils, particularly through their influence over local government elections and finances.
“The problem is with the people; it’s not with the law,” he said, arguing that the existing constitutional framework would work more effectively if political leaders respected its provisions.
He maintained that local governments must be allowed to manage their resources and perform their responsibilities without undue interference from state authorities.
Shittu also called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure that funds allocated to local governments are used to improve the living conditions of residents, particularly in rural communities.
“If the President has been charitable enough to raise more money from the removal of oil subsidy, should he not also insist that the governors transmit those things down to the local government?” he asked.
The former minister’s comments come amid continuing debate over local government autonomy following the Supreme Court’s July 2024 judgment on democratically elected councils and direct allocation of funds to local governments. The judgment addressed the role of state governments in controlling council administration and finances.
He further defended his position as a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting that party loyalty should not prevent him from criticising government policies.
“The fact that I am APC does not mean that I will not be able to tell the truth. I don’t fear anybody, and I have always been very honest,” he said.
On the proposed establishment of state police, Shittu acknowledged the need to tackle insecurity but questioned whether political interests could influence the implementation of constitutional reforms.
He argued that insecurity affects different parts of Nigeria and requires a coordinated response, cautioning that state police must serve the security needs of residents rather than become an instrument of political control.
Shittu also addressed calls for Nigeria to restructure its system of government, arguing that returning to regional government or adopting a parliamentary system would not automatically resolve the country’s governance problems.
“It’s not about regionalism. It’s about existing processes that they replicate, that they don’t revive,” he said, advocating improvements to existing institutions and greater attention to education, healthcare, employment and security.
The discussion further touched on political representation in Oyo State, where Shittu expressed concern about what he described as the concentration of governorship opportunities among politicians from Ibadan. He argued that political parties should create opportunities for qualified individuals from other parts of the state to participate in leadership.
The former minister also addressed the economic hardship associated with fuel subsidy removal and exchange-rate unification, maintaining that government policies should be assessed by their effects on citizens rather than political support alone.
“All because they supported it doesn’t make it right,” Shittu said, arguing that the additional revenue available to governments should translate into better public services and improved living conditions.
