Interview: How to Hold Your Local Government Chairman Accountable: A Conversation with Mide Alabi

Broadcast on Liberty Radio 91.7 FM, Kaduna, on Thursday, August 7, 2025

Host: Tunji Oyeleke

Tunji Oyeleke:

Last week, we talked about the responsibilities of a local government chairman—their roles and how their decisions impact daily life. This week, we’re going a step further: How do you hold your local government chairman accountable when they are not doing their job? What tools and legal options do you have as a citizen?

Joining me today to help unpack this is Mide Alabi, a legal writer and policy analyst. Mide, good morning. How are you?

Mide Alabi:

Good morning, Tunji. I’m fine, thank you. I’m happy to be here, and I also want to commend you for the great work you’re doing with this program.

Tunji:

Thank you, Mide. Let’s start with the basics. Why is accountability at the local government level so important?

Mide:

Well, first of all, I think we often make the mistake of focusing all our frustration on whoever the president is at the time—Jonathan, Buhari, Tinubu, and so on. While the president has significant responsibility, the local government is actually the first point of contact between the average citizen and the government.

The local government is meant to impact our daily lives directly. When there’s no accountability, funds intended for community development can disappear into private pockets, and decisions will be made without considering the people they affect.

For democracy to be meaningful, it has to work from the grassroots up. In Nigeria’s system, the grassroots is the local government. If that tier doesn’t work, people feel the effect immediately.

Tunji:

Agreed. So what legal or constitutional mechanisms can citizens use to hold a local government chairman accountable?

Mide:

The establishment of local governments is provided for in Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution. They are meant to be accountable to the people who elected them.

If you believe your local government chairman is guilty of misconduct, mismanagement of funds, or dereliction of duty, one of the first steps you can take is to petition your State House of Assembly. Attach any evidence you have, and—ideally—do it collectively with other concerned residents. Collective petitions carry more weight.

If it involves corruption or financial crimes, you can contact the EFCC or ICPC, but you must have strong, verifiable evidence before doing so. Government agencies can’t just act on hearsay.

Another option is the Public Complaints Commission, which handles administrative injustice. And remember, you can petition on behalf of someone else.

Tunji:

Beyond legal processes, what are practical ways people can monitor or challenge poor performance at the local level?

Mide:

Sometimes it’s not about reinventing the wheel; it’s about using what already exists. Attend your community or town hall meetings. Pay attention during budget cycles.

Many people don’t know this, but you can request your local government’s auditor’s report. Some are even available online. For example, I found Kaduna State’s reports for 2019–2023 on the internet.

One of the most common forms of corruption in Nigeria is budget padding. You might see outrageous budget lines—like millions allocated for “umbrellas”—and no one questions it because most people don’t read or follow the budget.

If you notice discrepancies, speak up. Use platforms like radio, social media, or community groups to amplify the information. During the last election cycle, I personally used social media to highlight irregularities in my area—and it worked to draw attention.

Tunji:

That’s a fair point. Now, bureaucracy can be a huge discouragement. When you’ve written letters and followed the process, but someone in the office is frustrating your efforts, how do you get around it?

Mide:

Bureaucracy is a real problem in Nigeria. Some of it is due to understaffing, but sometimes it’s deliberate.

One thing I recommend is tracking timelines. Under the Freedom of Information Act, for example, an agency must respond within seven days of receiving your request. Other bodies, like the FCCPC, have their own statutory timelines—usually up to 30 or 45 days.

If the deadline passes without a response, escalate. Contact a higher authority within the same institution or a related oversight body. Use external pressure—for example, calling them out on the radio or social media. Civil society organizations like SERAP or Enough is Enough Nigeria can also help push your case.

And importantly, don’t be intimidated by “office English” or dismissive behavior. Stand on your rights and insist on answers.

Tunji:

Let’s say someone tries all that, but the local government still doesn’t respond. What’s the higher authority they can report to?

Mide:

Your State House of Assembly should be the first point of escalation. Engage your representatives directly and submit your evidence to them.

If political interests block progress—for instance, if the chairman, the assembly member, and the state governor are all from the same party—then you may need to go beyond the state level. Use federal bodies like the EFCC or ICPC, backed with documentary evidence obtained under the Freedom of Information Act. And don’t underestimate public pressure; when misconduct becomes widely known, even political allies may push for action to avoid electoral backlash.

Tunji:

Speaking of the Freedom of Information Act, how can people use it effectively at the local level?

Mide:

The Freedom of Information Act gives any person—journalist, trader, or student—the right to request information from public institutions.

Here’s how:

1. Check the relevant ministry, department, or agency’s website for existing publications first.

2. If the information isn’t there, write a formal letter addressed to the Local Government Chairman requesting the specific record—for example, “the 2025 budget for XYZ Local Government.”

3. They must respond within seven days—either by providing the information, explaining why they can’t, or refusing outright.

4. If they ignore you, you can go to court under the Act. Non-compliance attracts a fine of up to ₦500,000, and giving false information is a criminal offense punishable by at least one year in prison.

Costs are minimal—just printing, photocopying, and delivery. It’s a powerful, underused tool, and more people should take advantage of it.

Tunji:

What would you say to those who feel powerless, that nothing will change even if they speak up?

Mide:

I understand that feeling completely. But silence only makes things worse. I often quote Martin Niemöller’s famous words from Nazi Germany:

> “First they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out — because I was not a trade unionist.

> Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out — because I was not a socialist.

> Then they came for me — and there was no one left to speak for me.”

We’re all Nigerians. If the country doesn’t work, it hurts all of us. Every action or inaction has consequences that affect us and future generations. It’s not easy, but we must keep engaging, using the tools available to us.

Tunji:

Mide, thank you so much for coming on the program and sharing your insights.

Mide:

Thank you for having me.