South-South States Delay Domestication of Key Laws Despite Some Progress
Rivers State has domesticated two of three critical laws—local government autonomy (passed 2023) and state electricity (passed 2024, overridden after Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s veto)—while the state police bill remains pending, according to a News Agency of Nigeria survey. In Rivers, politician Anchor Ume praised the Martins Amaewhule‑led House of Assembly for granting councils financial independence and enabling state‑owned power generation, though implementation still faces political hurdles. In Cross River, spokesman Oqua Etim said local government autonomy exists only on paper, with the governor still controlling council funds via joint accounts, and former education adviser Castro Ezama urged faster rollout of state‑driven electricity models like Aba’s to cut costs. In Akwa Ibom, NLC chairman Sunny James welcomed the state police concept but warned the National Assembly must make the amendment all‑encompassing to prevent governors from hijacking the force, while lawyer Clifford Thomas called for removing gubernatorial immunity so officials can be sued for abuse. The survey shows only Rivers has made measurable progress; Cross River and Akwa Ibom report laws largely unimplemented despite constitutional backing. This lag affects everyday Nigerians because undomesticated laws mean local councils lack funds to fix roads, schools, and clinics; states cannot generate reliable electricity, raising costs for businesses and households; and community policing remains weak, leaving residents vulnerable to crime. Citizens in these states can push for change by attending town‑hall meetings, contacting their state legislators, and supporting civil‑society groups monitoring implementation. Will you demand your state assembly fast‑track the remaining bills, or rely on federal courts to enforce the constitutional amendments?