GOV. OTTI MOVES TO STRENGTHEN GRASSROOTS DEMOCRACY, SEEKS MANDATORY TRAINING FOR LOCAL GOVT LEGISLATORS

…As Abia Councillors Unanimously Adopt Mandatory Legislative Orientation for New Councils

The Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening democratic institutions at the grassroots, with a call for mandatory legislative orientation and capacity-building programmes for newly elected local government legislators across the state.

The Governor’s position was conveyed on Friday by the Deputy Governor, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, FNSE, who represented him at a one-day capacity-building seminar for local government legislators organised by the Abia State Law Reform and Review Commission in collaboration with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Legal Matters, the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

The seminar, themed “Strengthening Local Government Legislative Capacity for Effective Grassroots Governance in Abia State,” brought together mayors, councillors, legislative officers, legal practitioners, government officials and other stakeholders from the state’s 17 local government areas.

Declaring the seminar open, Emetu said sustainable development at the grassroots depends on strong legislative institutions, competent lawmakers and quality legislation. Describing laws as “the quiet architects of civilization,” he stressed that enduring development is built on strong institutions rather than individuals.

He noted that the ongoing exercise by the Abia State Law Reform and Review Commission to collate, review and document existing bye-laws across the 17 local government areas had exposed gaps in legislative capacity and underscored the need for continuous training of councillors.

According to him, obsolete and poorly drafted bye-laws, weak legislative procedures and inadequate understanding of constitutional responsibilities could undermine democratic accountability, effective oversight and service delivery at the grassroots.

Emetu urged the legislators to take full advantage of the seminar to deepen their knowledge of legislative procedures, lawmaking, budget scrutiny and oversight, stressing that local government legislative councils must become effective instruments of accountability and grassroots development.

“Our legislative councils should serve as guardians of accountability, partners in development and the conscience of local democracy,” he said.

The Deputy Governor further advocated that structured legislative orientation and capacity-building programmes should become mandatory within the first quarter after the inauguration of every new local government legislative council in Abia State.

The proposal was unanimously adopted by participants through a voice vote.

Emetu also urged councillors to focus on enacting people-oriented bye-laws capable of protecting vulnerable citizens, promoting economic growth, preserving public order and addressing the peculiar needs of their communities.

He stressed that effective legislation must be developed through proper procedures, public consultation and a clear understanding of the legal and constitutional responsibilities of local government legislative councils.

“The quality of governance at the grassroots is directly connected to the quality of the laws and institutions that guide it,” the Deputy Governor stated, urging councillors to see their legislative responsibilities as a solemn mandate to the people.

Speaking on behalf of the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, the member representing Ohafia South State Constituency, Hon. Kalu Mba Nwoke, described local government as the tier of government closest to the people.

He observed that many councillors assume office without adequate knowledge of legislative procedures, public financial management, budget analysis and oversight functions, resulting in weak legislative councils, poorly drafted bye-laws and limited accountability.

Hon. Nwoke said well-trained local government legislators would be better positioned to enact relevant and enforceable bye-laws, conduct effective oversight of the executive arm, ensure that budgets reflect the priorities of the people, promote transparency and serve as a bridge between government and their communities.

He commended Governor Otti for supporting the initiative and called for sustained capacity-building programmes for local government legislators across the state.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Secretary of the Abia State Law Reform and Review Commission, Barr. Dave Okwum Kalu, described the seminar as the first state-wide capacity-building programme specifically organised for local government legislators in Abia State.

He explained that the initiative was conceived against the backdrop of the Commission’s ongoing exercise to compile, review and document bye-laws across the 17 local government areas.

According to him, the exercise had revealed the need to strengthen the capacity of councillors in legislative drafting, lawmaking and the proper application of legal procedures.

Barr. Kalu urged participants to actively engage with the training and adopt a “train-the-trainer” approach by sharing the knowledge acquired with their colleagues in their respective legislative councils.

Presenting a lead paper on the “Legal Framework for Local Government Legislation,” the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ikechukwu Uwanna, SAN, stressed the importance of legislative competence, proper drafting procedures and extensive public participation before the passage of any bye-law.

He outlined the essential elements of quality legislation to include clear drafting, appropriate enforcement mechanisms, clearly defined offences and penalties, public hearings and effective committee scrutiny.

Uwanna also highlighted provisions of the Abia State Local Government Administration Law 2025 relating to digital financial management systems, electronic personnel records, online publication of financial reports and transparent procurement processes, noting that such measures were designed to strengthen accountability and transparency in local government administration.

He said the seminar reflected Governor Otti’s commitment to institutional development and continuous capacity building, while commending the revitalisation of the Abia State Law Reform and Review Commission and its growing role in legal and institutional reforms in the state.

In her remarks, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Legal Matters, Barr. Mrs. Nkolika Cleopatra Ubani, described the programme as an investment in democratic institutions and legislative excellence.

She said properly drafted and legally compliant bye-laws were essential to effective local government administration, urging participants to use the opportunity to strengthen their legislative competence and develop laws capable of addressing contemporary challenges in their respective communities.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu, described the seminar as timely and beneficial, urging the organisers to extend similar programmes to all councillors across the 17 local government areas to ensure that no legislator is left behind.

Delivering the keynote address, former Deputy Governor of Abia State and former Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Sir Ude Oko Chukwu, said strong legislative councils were indispensable to effective grassroots governance.

He noted that effective lawmaking, representation and oversight remained critical to improving service delivery, community development and accountability at the local government level.

Sir Ude urged the state government to sustain regular capacity-building programmes for local government legislators, while encouraging councillors to see their legislative responsibilities as a critical component of democratic governance.

Presenting a paper on “The Strategic Role of Local Government Legislators in Advancing Grassroots Governance and Development,” constitutional law scholar, Dr. Udo Ugochukwu, urged councillors to prioritise people-oriented legislation through community engagement, effective oversight and responsible representation.

He emphasised that stronger legislative capacity, financial autonomy and continuous training would enhance transparency, improve service delivery and deepen democratic participation at the grassroots.

The seminar featured technical sessions on the legal framework for local government legislation, legislative drafting and practical lawmaking, including demonstrations on the preparation of model bye-laws, interactive discussions and question-and-answer sessions.

Participants were drawn from the 17 local government areas of Abia State and included mayors, councillors, legislative officers, legal practitioners, government officials and other stakeholders in local government administration.

Sir Cyril Chukwudi Eke Mba
Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor of Abia State
Government House, Umuahia
August 1, 2026.