Stakeholders tells ALGON to Monitor govs,funds
The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria and the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees have pushed the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit to monitor council funds and stop council chairmen from diverting them to state governors.
Additionally, ALGON pledged to make the most of its financial independence by addressing local issues like poor roads and insecurity while also making sure that residents of rural areas benefit more from democracy.
In recent months, Nigerians have become more vocal in their demands for local government autonomy. Stakeholders and President Bola Tinubu had endorsed their calls.
Presently, the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission, which is under the Presidency, allots 52.68% of the nation’s monthly revenue to the Federal Government, 26.72% to the States, and 20.60% to Local Governments.
The Federation Account Allocation Committee disburses these funds.
Lateef Fagbemi, the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, filed a lawsuit in May before the Supreme Court on behalf of the Federal Government, requesting complete autonomy for local governments against the 36 state governors.
The complaint argued that Nigeria as a federation is regulated by the 1999 Constitution and was based on 27 reasons.
On July 11, 2024, the Supreme Court did, however, rule that state governors’ possession of monies intended for local government administrations was illegal.
The 774 local government councils around the nation ought to handle their own financial management, according to the panel’s ruling, which was given by Justice Emmanuel Agim.
NULGE President Akeem Ambali supported the Supreme Court’s decision and issued a warning against disregarding it.
Ambali stated that Nigerians are pleased with the historic ruling of the Supreme Court and that the only people who would be unhappy with the decision are those who had embezzled these monies and those who are hostile to democratic ideals.
He bemoaned the years of illicit diversion and misuse of local government finances, but emphasized that the verdict would contribute to a transformation of governance at the third level of government.
Aminu Muazu-Maifata, the National President of ALGON, expressed the association’s gratitude and happiness over the Supreme Court’s decision.
He stated that ALGON will convene next week to discuss the ruling, and he promised that council chairmen will make the most of this historic Supreme Court decision to change local governance and not let Nigerians down.
Muazu-Maifata added that the council chairmen would take advantage of their newfound financial independence to address the dearth of facilities at the local level.
