It’s better to have 774 thieves in Nigeria than only one big thief – Oshiomhole

During a forum on local government autonomy organized by the House of Representatives, Edo North senator Adams Oshiomhole voiced his endorsement for the financial independence of local governments in Nigeria.

On July 11, 2024, the Supreme Court affirmed the autonomy of local governments.

Oshiomhole highlighted the significance of integrity in governance and transparency, advising local government chairpersons to allocate resources towards infrastructure, healthcare, and essential public services.

On a lighter note, Oshiomhole remarked, “It’s better to have 774 local government chairmen who are thieves than one big thief,” adding that with the autonomy, every local government in Nigeria will produce one or two billionaires, rather than having just one billionaire in the entire state.