A human rights activist, Mrs Ojomo Olayinka, has called for more accountability and transparency at the third tier of government.
Olayinka, who is an Executive Director of Advocacy for Liberty and Justice, an NGO, made the call in Osogbo, in an exclusive interview with the DAILY POST.
She said the renewed crusade against corruption by Buhari administration would be “incomplete” without focus on the local government administration.
According to her, ” the ultimate essence of bringing governance nearer to the people, which is the primary obligation of local governments has been defeated long ago through corruption.”
She said that mind-boggling cases of graft and financial recklessness abound in local governments.
The rights activist explained that the level of corruption would not have gotten to the climax in Nigeria but for the connivance of many state governors, who are always “hand in glove” with local government executives.
Olayinka further said that the level of corruption at the local governments was responsible for the abject poverty among many Nigerians.
“Without mincing words, corruption is endemic at the local governments in Nigeria, the sense of good governance has been totally eroded.
“It is now me and myself, in lieu of people and the community, at that tier of government in Nigeria.
“Obviously we are in mess, if it continues like that, i have not heard of President Muhammadu Buhari talking about the endemic corruption at the grassroots.
“Take it from me, the impact of anti-corruption fight of the president will be insignificant on the common people without taking the battle to the local governments,” she said.
