The apex court declared it unconstitutional for state governors to withhold funds designated for local governments and prohibited them from dissolving democratically elected local councils, citing a violation of the 1999 Constitution.
President Bola Tinubu has welcomed the Supreme Court’s recent ruling affirming local government autonomy, emphasizing that it will empower Nigerians, particularly the poor, to hold local leaders accountable.
In response to the landmark ruling, President Tinubu spoke about the critical role of effective local government administration in the nation’s progress.
He expressed his belief that the judgment will lead to greater transparency and accountability at the local government level. “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,” said Tinubu, as quoted by presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale.
Tinubu further stated that the allocation to local government accounts will now be transparent, and local officials will be compelled to deliver services without excuses.
He emphasized his administration’s commitment to ensuring that only democratically elected local officials manage the resources meant for their communities. “This judgment stands as a resounding affirmation that we can use legitimate means of redress to restructure our country and economy, making Nigeria a better place to live and a fairer society for all,” he added.
The President also praised the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), for his diligent and patriotic efforts in pursuing the case, describing it as a significant task.
He reiterated his administration’s dedication to upholding the principles of governance, aiming to build an efficient and performance-driven system that benefits every Nigerian.
In recent months, calls for local government autonomy have intensified, with President Tinubu being a strong advocate. In May, the Federal Government, represented by the Attorney-General, sued the 36 state governors over alleged misconduct involving local government funds.
Nigeria has 774 local government areas, but their effectiveness has often been undermined by state governors accused of mismanaging funds intended for local administration.
Funds are allocated by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and disbursed by the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC). However, local government funds are deposited into a joint account managed by state and local governments, which has led to concerns over transparency and accountability.
Despite opposition from the state governors, the Supreme Court’s decision depicts a change towards reinforcing local government autonomy and enhancing Nigeria’s federal structure for national development.
The Federal Government’s lawsuit sought to prevent governors from arbitrarily dissolving democratically elected councils, with the AGF filing the case on 27 grounds.
