Nigerian President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and others have expressed gratitude over the decision giving by Supreme Court, affirming the purpose of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria on the statutory rights of Local Governments.
On Thursday, the supreme court’s ruling barred Federal Government from distributing allocations to local governments led by officials who were appointed rather than elected.
The Federal Govt will halt the allocation of local government funds to 20 states as Justice Emmanuel Agim, who presided over the case, directed that Local Government funds should no longer be paid through state govts, stating that governors have misused this process.
While pointed out that the State Governors have been retaining and utilizing these funds improperly, which negatively affects the local government councils.
Consequently, the 20 states that lack elected local government chairmen will be barred from receiving local government funds starting in July until they hold elections.
The affected states are Jigawa, Rivers, Anambra, Imo, Kwara, Zamfara, Bauchi, Plateau, Abia, Enugu, Katsina, Kano, Sokoto, Yobe, Ondo, Osun, Delta, Akwa-Ibom, Cross River, Benue according to media report.
The President, who welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision stated that a fundamental challenge advancement over the years has been ineffective local govt administration, as governance at the critical cellular level of socio-political configuration is nearly absent.
In a statement released by his aide, the President emphasized that the onus is now on local council leaders to ensure that the broad spectrum of Nigerians living at that level are satisfied that they are benefitting from people-oriented service delivery.
According to him, “The Renewed Hope Agenda is about the people of this country, at all levels, irrespective of faith, tribe, gender, political affiliation, or any other artificial line they say exists between us. This country belongs to all of us.
“By virtue of this judgement, our people – especially the poor – will be able to hold their local leaders to account for their actions and inactions. What is sent to local government accounts will be known, and services must now be provided without excuses.
“My administration instituted this suit because of our unwavering belief that our people must have relief and today’s judgement will ensure that it will be only those local officials elected by the people that will control the resources of the people.
“This judgement stands as a resounding affirmation that we can use legitimate means of redress to restructure our country and restructure our economy to make Nigeria a better place to live in and a fairer society for all of our people,” President Tinubu states.
He affirmed that the decision of the Supreme Court to uphold the constitutional rights and ideals of local govts as regards financial autonomy, and other salient principles, is of historic significance and further reinforces the effort to enhance Nigeria’s true federal fabric for the development of the entire nation.
Tinubu commended the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) for his diligence and patriotic effort on this important assignment.
He stated that his administration remains committed to protecting the principles of the charter governing citizens, institutions of government, arms, and tiers of government in furtherance of building an efficient and performance-driven governance system that works for every Nigerian.
The former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar on social media platforms said the court judgment is a win for the people of Nigeria, adding that it’s also step in the right direction and a major corrective action in greasing the wheels of national development across the country.
He said, “The decision by the Federal Government to consolidate disbursements of local councils’ revenues into the state government accounts was a decision that was borne out of politics of hasty compromise”.
According to him, “I align with the decision of the Supreme Court that the structure of the Nigerian government is portioned in three layers, and of these, the local governments should be centres of development.
“I also share the belief that fiscal autonomy to the local governments should not be limited to revenues from the Federation Accounts, but indeed, should apply to Internally Generated Revenue from the respective local government authorities.
Atiku stated that many of the states, especially those in the ultra urban areas with high density economic activities, become notorious in muscling local councils from generating revenue on items that border on motor parks, outdoor advertising, rents and many more.
The former People’s Democratic Party Presidential candidate said, “The verdict of the court is in tandem with the core functions of the Supreme Court as an arbitration court between and among governments”.
The Senate President, Godwin Akpabio said, “Recall that the request was placed before the courts by the AGF because the Federal Government through President Bola Tinubu feels strongly about separation of powers and the need for autonomy of all arms of governments”.
Answering reporters’ questions on Thursday after meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, he said, “And so for us in the legislature, the Supreme Court has spoken and we have no option than to abide by the Supreme Court ruling”.
Akpabio called on State Governors and their Governments to respect what the Supreme Court has done and then we will go back to the legislature and see where we can dot the i’s and cross the t’s to ensure the full implementation.
“Because you know the words of the Supreme Court are like the words of the king, they cannot go down to the ground without implementation.
“So I think this is a great day for democracy, and I congratulate the president for this initiative. And I know that all Nigerians now know that local government administration is an arm of government meant for grassroots and their money should be for the grassroots”, he said.
Omokri Reno, aide to former Vice President said on social media platforms that, today’s verdict, granting financial autonomy to Local Govet Authorities, is a significant victory for democracy in Nigeria.
He added that by ordering the Federation Account Allocation Committee to pay their federal allocations directly to LGAs, the Supreme Court has stripped Governors of their dictatorial powers over the third tier of government.
“And created additional checks and balances, because the LGA Chairmen will now be further emboldened to stand up to non-performing Governors and State Houses of Assemblies.
“The corollary to the judgment barring payment of federal allocation to LGAs without elected Chairpersons is another feather in the cap of democracy.
“It removes any incentive for Governors to impose their cronies and lackeys on LGAs, such as Peter Obi, who undemocratically refused to conduct LGA elections during his eight-year tenure as Anambra Governor.
This is a just, courageous and commendable judgment, and their lordships, the Supreme Court Justices, have again proven that the courts are the last hope of the common man, Omokri said.
