Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa

1. Existence of Ministries of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs

In a telephone interview with the Research Directorate, a chief in Yoruba and Iboland, who was formerly a commissioner of local government and chieftaincy affairs, expressed the view that there are ministries of local government and chieftaincy affairs in every state (Chief 25 Sept. 2012).

Sources indicate that there is a bureau or ministry of local government and chieftaincy affairs in the following 24 states:

• Abia (Abia State n.d.);
• Akwa Ibom (Akwa Ibom State n.d.; The Moment 19 Dec. 2011);
• Anambra (Anambra State n.d.);
• Benue (The Guardian 6 Aug. 2012);
• Borno (Borno State n.d.; Daily Trust 12 Sept. 2011);
• Ebonyi (The Moment 29 Dec. 2011; Daily Independent 14 Mar. 2011);
• Edo (Edo State n.d.a);
• Ekiti (The Guardian 17 Feb. 2012). The Ekiti State website similarly indicates the existence of a Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs (22 Feb. 2012), as well as a Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs (10 Feb. 2012);
• Imo (Imo State n.d.). Leadership newspaper indicates the existence of a Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Imo State (15 Nov. 2010);
• Katsina (Leadership 30 Sept. 2012);
• Kebbi (Blueprint 12 Apr. 2012);
• Kogi (Kogi State n.d.; The Nigerian Tribune 31 July 2012);
• Lagos (Lagos State n.d.; This Day 14 Jan. 2011);
• Nasarawa State (Nasarawa State 20 Dec. 2011);
• Niger (Vanguard 17 June 2012). On the other hand, the Niger State website lists a Ministry of Local Government (n.d.a) and a Commissioner for Local Government, Community Development and Chieftaincy Affairs (n.d.b).
• Ogun (Ogun State 11 Aug. 2008; Vanguard 26 Mar. 2012);
• Ondo (Ondo State n.d.). Vanguard newspaper indicates the existence of a Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Ondo State (5 Oct. 2011);
• Osun (Osun State n.d.; Daily Champion 23 Aug. 2011);
• Oyo (Oyo State [2012]);
• Rivers (Rivers State n.d.);
• Plateau (Plateau State n.d.). Leadership newspaper indicates the existence of a Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Plateau State (10 Aug. 2012);
• Sokoto (Vanguard 5 Apr. 2012);
• Taraba (Daily Trust 13 Feb. 2012; The Tide 1 Aug. 2012);
• Yobe (Yobe State n.d.; Leadership 29 Aug. 2011).

Media sources list a Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs for the states of Bauchi (The Guardian 16 July 2012) and Zamfara (Vanguard 13 Apr. 2012). Corroborating information could not be found on the state government websites.

A Ministry of Local Government is listed on the state-government websites of Gombe State (n.d.) and Kano State (n.d.).

The Kwara State website indicates that the Ministry of Local Government has a Department of Chieftaincy Affairs (n.d.). However, media sources state that Kwara State has a Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Development (The Guardian 23 Aug. 2012; The Punch 20 Aug. 2012).

The Cross River State website indicates the existence of a Ministry of Local Government Affairs (Cross River State n.d.a) and a Department of Chieftaincy Affairs (ibid. n.d.b).

The Jigawa State website states that there is a Ministry for Local Government (n.d.a), and the Office of the Secretary to the State Government website states that the office has a Directorate of Chieftaincy Affairs (Jigawa State n.d.b).

The Kaduna State website indicates that there is a Ministry of Local Government and a Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs (Kaduna State n.d.). Daily Trust makes mention of a Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in a 26 March 2012 article.

The Delta State website lists a Directorate of Local Government Affairs (Delta State n.d.).

2. Functions of Ministries of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs

According to the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF), a [British] Commonwealth organization dedicated to strengthening democratic local government through programs, research and events (Commonwealth n.d.), “at the state level, the relevant ministry of local government and chieftaincy affairs or bureau of local government affairs is responsible for the administration of the state-level Acts governing local authorities” (CLGF n.d.). The CLGF adds that there are 768 local government authorities and six area councils (ibid.).

The functions of state ministries of local government and chieftaincy affairs include:

• administering and monitoring local governments (Oyo State [2012]);
• supervising the activities of local governments (Ogun State 11 Aug. 2008; Osun State n.d.);
• controlling the finances of local governments (Oyo State [2012]);
• dispersing funds from a federal account to local governments (Ogun State 11 Aug. 2008);
• administering property rates (ibid.; Oyo State [2012]);
• coordinating the affairs of local government councils (Osun State n.d.; Edo State n.d.b);
• overseeing chieftaincy matters in the state (Ogun State 11 Aug. 2008; Oyo State [2012]; Osun State n.d.).

According to the Edo State government website, the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs can resolve conflicts between traditional rulers, and solve communal crises in the state (n.d.a).

3. Commissioners of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs

According to the CLGF, state ministries of local government and chieftaincy affairs are headed by commissioners for local government, who are state-level ministers (n.d.). The Chief in Yoruba and Iboland indicated that commissioners are appointed by a minister (25 Sept. 2012). The CLGF indicates that state and local government interaction, is “mediated by the individual state-level ministries of local government and chieftaincy affairs and coordinated by a commissioner for local governments” (n.d.).

4. Concerns Related to Ministries of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs

Media sources report on concerns related to ministries of local government and chieftaincy affairs, including:

• inadequate monitoring of council areas and chieftaincy matters in Osun State (Daily Champion 23 Aug. 2011);
• delaying salary payments in Benue State (The Guardian 6 Aug. 2012);
• withholding the minimum wage from local government employees in Ekiti State (Leadership 17 Sept. 2012);
• underfunding local governments, resulting in local governments being unable to pay staff salaries in Kwara State (The Punch 20 Aug. 2012);
• "negligence in the discharge of … duties" by commissioners in Plateau State (Leadership 10 Aug. 2012);
• missing funds in Kaduna State (Blueprint 5 Mar. 2012) and Ebonyi State (Daily Independent 14 Mar. 2011);
• mismanaged funds in Oyo State (Vanguard 14 Dec. 2011);
• not following through with projects in Osun State (Daily Champion 23 Aug. 2011);

According to Vanguard, in an article about Sokoto State civil servants working less than their scheduled hours, when journalists visited the state Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the Director of Local Government Matters was the only director in the office at the time (5 Apr. 2012).

According to Blueprint, an Abuja-based newspaper, the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Kebbi State is at risk of a cholera outbreak because of unsanitary conditions caused by trespassers defaecating around the building (12 Apr. 2012). Blueprint reports that the general manager of the Kebbi Urban Development Authority indicated that "'very soon the place will be evacuated…" (12 Apr. 2012). Corroborating and further information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Abia State. N.d. "New TC Chairmen Sworn-in in Abia." [Accessed 11 Oct. 2012]

Akwa Ibom State. N.d. "Ministry of Local Govt. and Chieftaincy Affairs." [Accessed 12 Oct. 2012]

Anambra State. N.d. "Ministries." [Accessed 11 Oct. 2012]

Blueprint [Abuja]. 12 April 2012. "Kebbi: Poor Sanitary Condition Threatens Cabinet Staff." [Accessed 11 Oct. 2012]

_____. 5 March 2012. "Officials Steal N30bn from Kaduna LGs." [Accessed 12 Oct. 2012]

Borno State. N.d. "Ministries." [Accessed 12 Oct. 2012]

Chief, Yoruba and Iboland. 25 September 2012. Telephone interview with the Research Directorate.

Commonwealth. N.d. "Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF)." [Accessed 11 Oct. 2012]

Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF). N.d. "The Local Government System in Nigeria." [Accessed 14 Sept. 2012]

Cross River State. N.d.a. "Ministry of Local Government Affairs." [Accessed 19 Sept. 2012]

_____. N.d.b. "Department of Chieftaincy Affairs." [Accessed 10 Oct. 2012]

Daily Champion [Lagos]. 23 August 2011. Yetunde Oladejo. "Tasks Before Osun New Cabinet [opinion]." (Factiva)

Daily Independent [Lagos]. 14 March 2011. Felix Uka. "Jonathan's Visit - Permanent Secretary, Others Quizzed Over N4 Million Largesse for Ebonyi Monarchs." (Factiva)

Daily Trust [Abuja]. 26 March 2012. Isa Sa'idu. "Corruption Killing Kaduna LGs - Commissioner." (Factiva)

_____. 13 February 2012. Terkula Igidi. "Taraba Governor's Wife Leads Council Chairmen's Wives to Dubai." (Factiva)

_____. 12 September 2011. "Day of Rage in Biu Town." (Factiva)

Delta State. N.d. "Directorate of Local Government Affairs." [Accessed 12 Oct. 2012]

Edo State. N.d.a. "Departments in the Ministry." [Accessed 20 Sept. 2012]

_____. N.d.b. "Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs." [Accessed 17 May 2012]

Ekiti State. 22 February 2012. "Ekiti Government Reads Riot Acts to Caretaker Chairmen." [Accessed 12 Oct. 2012]

_____. 10 February 2012. "Statutory and Standing Committees." [Accessed 12 Oct. 2012]

Gombe State. N.d. "Ministries." [Accessed 12 Oct. 2012]

The Guardian [Lagos]. 23 August 2012. Abiodun Fagbnemi. "Kwara Waves Olive Branch to Council Workers." [Accessed 11 Oct. 2012]

_____. 6 August 2012. Joseph Wantu. "Benue Faults Assembly Over State's Financial Status." [Accessed 11 Oct. 2012]

_____. 16 July 2012. Joke Akanmu and Ali Garba. "Govt, Group Seek Strategies to Complete Abandoned Water Projects." [Accessed 11 Oct. 2012]

_____. 17 February 2012. "Ekiti Warns New Council Chiefs Against Graft." [Accessed 12 Oct. 2012]

Imo State. N.d. Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. "Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. Chief Gerry Okolie (FCIM): Profile." [Accessed 12 Oct. 2012]

Jigawa State. N.d.a. Ministry for Local Government. "About the Ministry." [Accessed 12 Oct. 2012]

_____. N.d.b. Office of the Secretary to the State Government. "Directorates." [Accessed 12 Oct. 2012]

Kaduna State. N.d. "Ministries, Departments and Agencies." [Accessed 12 Oct. 2012]

Kano State. N.d. "MDAs Websites." [Accessed 12 Oct. 2012]

Kogi State. N.d. Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. "Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs." [Accessed 12 Oct. 2012]

Kwara State. N.d. Ministry of Local Government. "Brief History of the Ministry." [Accessed 12 Oct. 2012]

Lagos State. N.d. "Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs." [Accessed 12 Oct. 2012]

Leadership [Abuja]. 30 September 2012. "Katsina: The Challenges of LDA Administration." [Accessed 11 Oct. 2012]

_____. 17 September 2012. "No Staff Audit, No Minimum Wage, Governor Fayemi Tells Striking LG Workers." [Accessed 11 Oct. 2012]

_____. 10 August 2012. "Plateau Assembly Summons Commissioners Over Alleged Contempt." (Factiva)

_____. 2 September 2011. Abu Nmodu. "Etsu Nupe Challenges Govt on Security." (Factiva)

_____. 29 August 2011. Uche F. Uche. "Minimum Wage - Yobe to Spend Additional N530 Million." (Factiva)

_____. 15 November 2010. Ebere Uzoukwa. "Ohakim has Transformed Local Government System in Imo - Commissioner [Interview]." (Factiva)

The Moment [Lagos]. 29 December 2011. Aliuna Godwin. "More Woes Trail Ebonyi Speaker's Removal." (Factiva)

_____. 19 December 2011. Iniobong Ekponta. "Akwa Ibom Moves to Check Financial Crimes by Council Chairmen." (Factiva)

Nasarawa State. 20 December 2011. "His Excellency, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, Governor of Nasarawa state has approved the postings of Honourable Commissioners and members of Nasarawa State Executive council as follows." [Accessed 11 Oct. 2012]

Niger State. N.d.a. "Ministry of Local Government." [Accessed 12 Oct. 2012]

_____. N.d.b. "Ministries." [Accessed 12 Oct. 2012]

The Nigerian Tribune [Ibadan]. 31 July 2012. Yekini Jimoh. "Kogi Govt Wades into Ohimege Succession Crisis." [Accessed 11 Oct. 2012]

Ogun State. 11 August 2008. "Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs." [Accessed 19 Sept. 2012]

Ondo State. N.d. "Permanent Secretaries." [Accessed 12 Oct. 2012]

Osun State. N.d. "Ministry of Local Government and Chieftain Affairs." [Accessed 19 Sept. 2012]

Oyo State. [2012]. "Ministry of Local Government Chieftain Matters." [Accessed 19 Sept. 2012]

Plateau State. N.d. "Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs." [Accessed 12 Oct. 2012]

The Punch (Lagos). 20 August 2012. Success Nwogu. "Kwara LG Workers Threaten strike Over Unpaid Salaries." [Accessed 11 Oct. 2012]

Rivers State. N.d. "Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs." [Accessed 11 Oct. 2012]

This Day [Lagos]. 14 January 2011. Omololu Ogunmade. "Fashola wins, 29 Lawmakers Lose." (Factiva)

The Tide. 1 August 2012. "The States." [Accessed 12 Oct. 2012]

Vanguard [Lagos]. 17 June 2012. Tonnie Iredia. "Many People, Many Ghosts." (Factiva)

_____. 13 April 2012. Saminu Ibrahim. "Zamfara: How we Stopped a Two-yr Old from Receiving Salary - Rini." [Accessed 20 Sept. 2012]

_____. 5 April 2012. Abdallah El-Kurebe. "Sokoto Civil Servants Spend Four Working Hours in Office." (Factiva)

_____. 26 March 2012. Daud Olatunji. "Ogun Pledges Grazing Routes, Patrols to Curb Herdsmen's Atrocities." (Factiva)

_____. 14 December 2011. Ola Ajayi. "New Judge to Try Akala's Corruption Case." (Factiva)

_____. 5 October 2011. Dayo Johnson. "Ondo Cabinet - Iroko's New Branches [opinion]." (Factiva)

_____. 11 April 2011. Ndahi Marama. "PDP Should Learn to Take Defeat with Grace - Shettima [interview]." (Factiva)

Yobe State. N.d. "Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs." [Accessed 12 Oct. 2012]

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: Attempts to contact the following organizations were unsuccessful: Canadian High Commission in Lagos; Embassy of Nigeria in Ottawa; ministries of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Edo State, Ekiti State, Kaduna State, Lagos State, Oyo State, Taraba State.

Internet sites, including: Africa Confidential; Africa Research Bulletin; Al Jazeera; All Africa; Amnesty International; Bauchi State; Bayelsa State; Benue State; British Journal of Arts and Social Sciences; Canadian Journal of African Studies; Congressional Research Service; ecoi.net; Freedom House; Human Rights Watch; Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre; Katsina State; Minority Rights Group International; Nigeria — Federal Capital Territory Administration, Federal Ministry of Information, Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Office of the Speaker, State House (Abuja); Sokoto State; United Kingdom Border Agency; United Nations — Integrated Regional Information Networks, Refworld; United States Department of State; World Organization Against Torture. Attempts to access the following state government websites were unsuccessful: Adamawa, Ebonyi, Enugu, Kebbi, Taraba, and Zamfara.