The position was sequel to a motion sponsored by Senator Abdullahi Gumel and six others, entitled “Intervention on the Reforms and Strengthening of Local Government Administration in Nigeria.” Gumel said the lawmakers were worried by the flood of petitions from Nigerians and stakeholders in particular on the current situation of state local governments, especially in the light of the rampant dissolutions of elected council officials and enthronement of un-elected caretaker committee and the longstanding issue of funding for the councils, in line with their constitutional responsibilities. He stated that he was aware that various attempts to resolve the state/local government relations impasse via alteration of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria had failed and the matter has not been addressed, adding that this negated and hurt the attainment of the lofty goals of democracy and inclusiveness at the grassroots. During the debate, Senator Dino Melaye defied the instruction of the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the debate, to withdraw a comment described as an unparliamentary language. Melaye had, while contributing to the motion, described activities of state governors in managing the local governments as “satanic,” a comment considered unparliamentary by the chamber. The comment did not go down well with former governors as the minority leader and a former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godwill Akpabio, raised a point of order, demanding for the withdrawal of the language. However, in spite of Ekweremadu’s insistence that Melaye should withdraw the language, he refused, insisting that looting of council funds which he said had deprived innocent persons of their means of livelihood was “satanic.” Akpabio again raised another point of order, saying it was wrong of Melaye to generalise the description of governors’ activities in local governments as satanic, noting that Akwa Ibom, under his leadership, conducted local government elections three times and also allowed councils to function effectively. That complaint notwithstanding and despite persuasion by Ekweremadu that Melaye should withdraw the language, he refused, not even another point of order by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe could persuade him to change his mind. At the end of the day, the Senate mandated its Committee on States and Local Government to conduct a public hearing on the reforms meant to strengthen local government administration in Nigeria within the context of the 1999 Constitution of the Federation of Nigeria (as amended) and other extant laws.]]>