EDITORIAL: Signal From Bakassi: A Disturbing Portrait of Grassroots Governance
The viral video of the Bakassi Legislative Council holding plenary inside a primary school classroom is more than an embarrassing moment. It is a troubling signal from the grassroots, reflecting the deeper malaise afflicting local governance and sounding an alarm that demands urgent attention from oversight authorities.
A legislature without a dignified and functional workspace is already weakened before it begins its duties. When elected councillors deliberate public affairs in a classroom meant for pupils, the symbolism is stark. It speaks of neglect, institutional decay and a worrying disregard for democratic norms. Local government is the closest tier of governance to the people. When it is treated with such levity, citizens are left with the impression that their representation and voices are inconsequential.
More disturbing than the venue is the conduct that followed. The reported suspension of the Legislative Clerk by councillors who appear unclear about the limits of their powers raises serious questions about competence and orientation. Lawmaking is governed by rules, procedures and a clear separation of roles. It is not an arena for impulsive sanctions or political grandstanding. When lawmakers display ignorance of these basics, the credibility of the entire council suffers.
The allegations against the Clerk are grave. Conniving with the chairman to assent to a budget without due legislative process amounts to a flagrant breach of civil service ethics and administrative protocol. Budgeting is the lifeblood of governance, and bypassing legislative scrutiny undermines transparency, accountability and democracy at the local level. If proven, such misconduct should be addressed through established disciplinary mechanisms, not arbitrary or politically motivated actions.
However, the issue goes beyond individual wrongdoing. It exposes a deeper systemic failure within the local government structure. How individuals lacking the requisite academic background, experience and administrative competence ascend to sensitive positions raises serious concerns about the integrity of promotion processes. When merit is sacrificed for patronage and pecuniary interests, institutions are hollowed out and public trust erodes.
Equally troubling are insinuations that the council legislature was sidelined because budget estimates were prepared by the supervising ministry. Such practices, if true, are antidemocratic and indefensible. They reduce elected councillors and indeed, the entire local government staff to mere ceremonial figures and weaken grassroots democracy by imposing decisions from above.
The Bakassi episode also casts doubt on the effectiveness of training programmes organised for councillors and clerks. Capacity building that does not translate into a basic understanding of legislative roles, ethics and procedures is either poorly designed or poorly delivered. Training must be practical, continuous and results driven.
Responsibility does not lie with the legislature alone. A local government chairman who fails to provide a conducive working environment for the legislative arm over a year since assumption of office deserves scrutiny. Governance is a collective enterprise, and executive neglect combined with legislative incompetence creates the kind of institutional embarrassment now on display.
We posit that the events in Bakassi underscore the urgent need for deliberate reforms to rescue grassroots governance. Minimum operational standards for local government legislatures must be enforced, including the provision of dignified Legislative chambers, offices, equipment and respect for due process. Merit based appointments and promotions anchored on qualification, experience and competence must be restored at appropriate quarters.
We further suggest a clear separation and strict observance of legislative and executive powers, with budgetary processes firmly rooted in legislative scrutiny and transparency. Oversight bodies must be strengthened to curb political interference, while training programmes should be redesigned to deliver measurable improvements in competence.
Also, we appeal to local government chairmen, supervising ministries and relevant authorities to uphold accountability, provide functional working environments and respect legislative independence. Allegations of misconduct must be handled through due process, not arbitrary actions.
Above all, transparency, ethical reorientation and public accountability must become non-negotiable pillars of grassroots governance if the signal from Bakassi is to mark a turning point rather than a lasting stain on local democracy.
THE BEAGLE NEWS
