The Supreme Court issued a decisive judgment on Thursday, affirming the autonomy of local governments across states. The ruling, delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim, mandates the Federal Government to begin immediate and direct payment of funds to local government accounts, barring state governors from retaining these funds.
Additionally, the court ordered that governors cannot dissolve democratically elected local government councils and directed the Federal Government to withhold allocations to LGAs governed by unelected officials appointed by governors.
Presidential Approval
President Tinubu lauded the verdict, emphasizing its role in fostering accountability. He stated, “By virtue of this judgment, our people – especially the poor – will be able to hold their local leaders to account for their actions and inactions.” Presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, conveyed Tinubu’s sentiments, noting that with direct allocations to local governments, services must now be provided transparently.
Tinubu further highlighted that his administration pursued this case out of a firm belief in providing relief to the populace, ensuring that elected local officials manage local resources. He affirmed that the judgment is a significant step towards restructuring Nigeria’s governance and economy for a fairer society.
Legal and Human Rights Perspectives
Senior Advocate of Nigeria and human rights activist Femi Falana expressed strong support for the Supreme Court’s decision. He criticized the manipulation of local government elections by state governors through their appointees in state electoral commissions. Falana stressed the importance of genuine local government autonomy, expecting local governments to now handle responsibilities such as school maintenance, road construction, and worker salaries independently. He called for the creation of state economic councils that include local government participation, akin to the federal economic council, to promote accountability at the grassroots level.
Another Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Ozekhome, also praised the judgment. Speaking on Channels Television, he clarified that the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) will only send funds to local governments with elected officials. Ozekhome emphasized that caretaker committees will not receive federal funds and noted that development council areas created by states like Lagos are not eligible for FAAC allocations. He suggested that states and local development councils could internally distribute funds received by constitutionally recognized local governments.
Bottom Line
The Supreme Court’s ruling is a significant victory for local government autonomy in Nigeria, ensuring that local leaders are held accountable for federal allocations. This decision promotes transparency, democratic governance, and grassroots development, marking a pivotal step towards a more equitable and accountable system of governance in Nigeria.
