The Chamber for Local Governance (ChaLoG) has voiced serious concerns regarding the escalating political interference in the country’s local governance. In a recent press statement, ChaLoG highlighted that such interference has led to growing despondency and low morale among civil and local government staff working within the Metropolitan Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs).

ChaLoG’s investigation has brought to light the detrimental impact of unrestrained political meddling in the day-to-day responsibilities of MMDA staff. The chamber underscored that this unacceptable phenomenon has resulted in widespread apathy among local government employees, consequently leading to diminished revenue generation and poor service delivery to citizens.

“This unfortunate turn of events has been occasioned by the unrestrained political interference in the day-to-day functional responsibilities of the staff in the MMDAs,” ChaLoG stated emphatically.

A nationwide investigation by ChaLoG revealed several disturbing trends, including the indiscriminate and unjustifiable transfer of staff, often at the behest of chief executives, presiding members, and party constituency executives. According to ChaLoG, these transfers are being used as a tool of coercion by Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to manipulate local government staff.

The chamber’s findings also indicated that political interference extends to internal auditors who face constant threats when attempting to enforce proper protocols. This excessive political influence is particularly evident in the preparation and awarding of contracts, where partisan interests often overshadow due process.

Moreover, party foot soldiers have been planted within various units and departments to monitor and, in some cases, usurp the traditional responsibilities of local government staff. This deliberate sidelining of trained personnel has severely undermined the administrative integrity of the MMDAs.

“Constant political interference and issuance of threats to internal auditors who try to stamp their authority for the right things to be done by MMDCEs; excessive political interest and interference in the preparation and award of contracts; and planting party foot soldiers in units and departments to monitor and sometimes usurp the powers and traditional responsibilities of local government staff,”
Chamber for Local Governance (ChaLoG)

ChaLoG noted that the pervasive political interference has forced many local government staff, who were hired for their technical expertise, to adopt a wait-and-see approach. Fearing victimization and unjustifiable transfers, these employees are increasingly reluctant to assert their professional judgment, allowing political actors, often lacking technical knowledge, to dominate decision-making processes.

Urgent Call for Action

“This unfortunate phenomenon has largely demotivated and demoralized local government staff, so much so that they deliberately report to work late just to allow the political apparatchiks to do whatever they want to do in their absence.”
Chamber for Local Governance (ChaLoG)

In light of these troubling findings, ChaLoG has called on the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development to take immediate and practical steps to curb this excessive political interference. The chamber emphasized the need to restore the professional autonomy of local government staff and ensure that administrative decisions are made based on technical expertise rather than political expediency.

ChaLoG’s urgent plea to the Ministry underscores the critical need for a concerted effort to address the root causes of this interference. By protecting the integrity of local governance structures, the government can help restore morale and improve service delivery to citizens.

The growing political interference in local governance as revealed by ChaLoG paints a worrying picture of the current state of the MMDAs. The chamber’s findings highlight the urgent need for reforms to protect the professional autonomy of local government staff and ensure that governance decisions are made based on merit and technical expertise.

The ball is now in the court of the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development to take decisive action and restore the integrity of local governance in the country.