Why LG bosses must reside, work from council areas – Ex-defence minister

A former Minister of Defence, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode (SAN), has urged state governors to issue executive orders mandating local government chairmen to reside in and work from their respective council areas.

Kayode, who made this call while speaking with newsmen in Akure, the Ondo State capital, noted that many local government chairmen currently operate from outside their designated areas.

He maintained that elected local government chairmen often work from state capitals instead of residing in their council headquarters — a practice he described as detrimental to grassroots development and security.

He attributed the absence of local council leaders in their jurisdictions to the rising wave of insecurity and underdevelopment in rural communities.

The former minister stressed that local government chairmen, as Chief Security Officers (CSOs) of their areas, must be present and accessible in order to effectively address local challenges.

He proposed that chairmen and councillors be compelled to report to duty from Monday to Friday, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., and only visit the state capital with written permission from the governor or deputy governor.

Kayode also suggested the establishment of an “Office of Inspector of Local Government Administration” under the Deputy Governor’s Office to monitor the compliance and performance of local council officials.

He argued that such measures would bring governance closer to the people and improve security and development at the grassroots level.

Kayode further noted that with the recent increase in federal allocations to local governments, there is no justification for neglecting basic responsibilities, including ensuring community-level security.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) said:

“Is it possible, reasonable, and helpful to direct, compel, and insist that all local government chairmen and councillors stay in their respective council areas and go to the state capital only with written approval or permission from, say, the Governor or the Deputy Governor?

“Is it possible, reasonable, and helpful to direct and compel all local government chairmen and councillors to go to work, Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.?

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“And can an Office of Inspector of Local Government Administration be established under the Office of, say, the Deputy Governor to ensure that these and other directives and mandates for local government areas are being efficiently implemented?

“Would the above help bring government closer to the people and strengthen security at the local government level? Wouldn’t it?”