A chieftain of Nigeria’s African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Benue State has called for full financial and administrative autonomy for local governments, positioning it as a critical measure to combat escalating national insecurity.
Peter Adejoh, an ADC governorship aspirant in Benue, made the statement in response to persistent banditry, kidnapping, and communal violence, particularly in his state. He argued that insecurity often originates at the grassroots but local councils lack the authority and resources to respond effectively.
Speaking with journalists, Adejoh explained that local governments are structurally closest to communities and best positioned for early threat detection and local security initiatives. He attributed their current ineffectiveness to years of systemic disempowerment, including the denial of funds and operational independence.
“Security challenges often begin at the community level, yet local governments have been weakened,” Adejoh stated. “Without resources, they cannot create jobs, support local security or respond promptly.”
He linked the surge in criminal activity to widespread rural poverty and youth unemployment, asserting that autonomous local councils could design targeted development programmes to engage young people productively. “When young people are gainfully employed, crime loses its appeal,” he noted. “Functional local governments can drive employment and reduce the conditions that fuel insecurity.”
A key obstacle, according to Adejoh, is the state-local government joint account system, which he described as a major setback to grassroots development and security management. He pledged that, if elected governor, his administration would ensure local government allocations are transferred directly to councils without interference. “I will not interfere with local government allocations,” he said. “Their leaders will then be held accountable for security, development, and welfare.”
Adejoh also stressed the need for structured collaboration among local governments, traditional rulers, and security agencies to improve intelligence gathering and response times. He added that lasting peace in Benue requires the resettlement of displaced persons and reconstruction of communities destroyed by violence.
The aspirant concluded by urging a national reconsideration of grassroots governance structures. Empowering local councils, he maintained, is fundamental to achieving sustainable security and national development in Nigeria. His proposals highlight ongoing debates about federalism, resource control, and decentralised security strategies in the face of multifaceted national security challenges.
