Section 7 of the Nigerian Constitution: Local Government System

Section 7 of the Nigerian Constitution: Local Government System

Local Government System

7.   (1) The system of local government by democratically elected local government councils is under this Constitution guaranteed; and accordingly, the Government of every State shall subject to section 8 of this Constitution, ensure their existence under a Law which provides for the establishment, structure, composition, finance and functions of such councils.

(2) The person authorised by law to prescribe the area over which a local government council may exercise authority shall –

(a)          define such area as clearly as practicable; and

(b)          ensure, to the extent to which it may be reasonably justifiable, that in defining such area regard is paid to –

(i)    the common interest of the community in the area,

(ii)  traditional association of the community, and

(iii) administrative convenience.

(3) It shall be the duty of a local government council within the State to participate in economic planning and development of area referred to in subsection (2) of this section and to this end an economic planning board shall be established by a Law enacted by the House of Assembly of the State.

(4) The Government of a State shall ensure that every person who is entitled to vote or be voted for at an election to a House of Assembly shall have the right to vote or be voted for at an election to a local government council.

(5) The functions to be conferred by Law upon local government councils shall include those set out in the Fourth Schedule to this Constitution.

(6) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution –

(a)          the National Assembly shall make provisions for statutory allocation of public revenue to local government councils in the Federation; and

(b)          the House of Assembly of a State shall make provisions for statutory allocation of public revenue to local government councils within the State.