The greatest accomplishment of LG autonomy Tinubu thus far is Ndume
The Chief Whip of the Senate, Ali Ndume, has declared that securing the financial autonomy for Local Governments has been the greatest achievement of President Bola Tinubu since he started office in 2023.
Ndume made this known while applauding the government of Tinubu, for filing a judicial action at the Supreme judicial, which has now born a
new financial regime for Local Governments Councils across the country.
In a statement made accessible to media on Friday, Ndume called the ruling President Tinubu’s greatest accomplishment since taking office in May 2023.
The senator from Borno South also urged Tinubu to start enforcing the court ruling right now, stressing that the people at the grassroots level must start.
Ndume said that no significant progress had been made at the local level since state governors in Nigeria took control of the Local Government
administration by citing a contentious clause in the 1999 Constitution as modified.
“The biggest of his achievements is this court action that was initiated at President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s request,” he declared. I’m thrilled with the
development and hope that this marks the start of Nigeria’s local governments’ freedom.
“I implore the President to start putting the court’s ruling into effect right away. Without further delay, Local Government Councils must
begin receiving their monthly allocations. The effects of sound governance will already be seen by those at the local level.
Ndume continued, “There have been multiple attempts by the National Assembly to resolve this grey area and modify the 1999 Constitution.
Governors, however, prevented the State Assemblies from providing the necessary constitutional concurrence. That’s why the attempts didn’t work.
The people can now hold the Council chairmen accountable for how they spend their monthly allocations. They will start to demand true accountability and judicious use of the funds they’ll be getting.
I salute the courage of President Tinubu. “President Muhammadu Buhari also tried to intervene. Governors didn’t allow him.
With this Supreme Court judgement, the issue has finally been resolved. No more unnecessary deductions from funds earmarked for local governments.”
The Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that local government allocations from the Federation Account should be paid directly to them going forward.
The court stated that it was unconstitutional for state governors to hold onto funds meant for Local Government Areas.
The highest court in Nigeria, Justice Emmanuel Agim, read the lead judgement and noted that there has been a two-decade long refusal by State Governments to grant Local Governments financial autonomy.
Justice Agim further noted that Local Governments have ceased receiving funds intended for them from the state governors who preside over them.
The Hon. Justice rejected the defendants’ preliminary objections, noting that the nation’s 774 Local Government Councils ought to handle their own finances.
