LG autonomy: The Supreme Court has given democracy new life – NLC
The ruling by the Supreme Court upholding local government councils’ nationwide fiscal autonomy has been warmly received by the Nigeria Labour Congress.
The president of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, stated in a statement on Thursday that the verdict of the supreme court has given the nation’s democracy and judiciary newfound hope.
The ruling of the supreme court, according to Ajaero, is “both courageous and salubrious,” and he recalled the “tortuous” path that led to the local governments’ freedom.
He stated, “On Thursday, July 11, 2024, an epochal proclamation was made that directs financial allocations to local governments and absolves state governments of the authority to remove local government executives. This is a brave and beneficial action.
“As workers, we had initiated a series of nationwide protests after witnessing, for years, with dismay and discontent, the remorseless and mindless erosion of the powers of the local governments.”
Ajaero also praised President Bola Tinubu, the 9th National Assembly, and the former President Muhammadu Buhari’s government for their contributions to the decision.
“We also note the effort made by the Buhari Administration to pry the governors’ strangling hold on local governments,” he continued. We also need to recognize the 9th Assembly’s excellent work on this issue.
“Without praising the Tinubu government for having the foresight to bring this case before the Supreme Court, this statement would fall short.
We especially praise the Attorney General of the Federation and the President.
Ajaero, on the other hand, is against state electoral commissions conducting local government elections and wants the Supreme Court’s decision to be followed.
Should NEC take over (despite the fact that they are overworked and not the finest example) or should SIECS be let to hold “elections”?
Should a commission or regulatory body be in charge of overseeing SIECs? Through a stakeholder conversation, we will uncover the hidden agenda in the details,” he declared.
The Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that state governors’ possession of money intended for local government operations is unconstitutional.
In a ruling written by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the panel of seven members decided that the nation’s 774 local government councils ought to handle their own financial management.
The federal, state, and municipal governments comprise the three branches of government, according to the ruling of the supreme court.
The court further ruled that a local government council may only be recognized in conjunction with a democratically elected government, and that a state government lacks the authority to designate a caretaker committee.
