- Tinubu, Atiku, Ibori, Others React
MIXED reactions, on thursday, trailed the decision of the Supreme Court to grant authonomy to the local governments as prominent Nigerians, including President Bola Tinubu, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Chief James Ibori and Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, expressed divergent views on the development.
The court, among other things held that the local governments would be getting allocations direct from the FAAC and the governors had no powers to dissolve elected chairmen, declaring that it is unconstitutional for state governors to hold onto funds meant for local government administrations.
In his reaction, President Bola Tinubu welcomed the decision of the Supreme Court affirming the spirit, intent and purpose of the 1999 Constitution on the statutory rights of local governments.
The President’s spokesman, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, in a statement, on thursday, said Tinubu noted that a fundamental challenge to the nation’s advancement over the years had been, ineffective local government administration.
According to the President, governance at the critical cellular level of socio-political configuration was nearly absent. Tinubu emphasised that the onus was now on local council leaders to ensure that the broad spectrum of Nigerians living at that level are satisfied that they are benefitting from people-oriented service delivery.
“The Renewed Hope Agenda is about the people of this country, at all levels, irrespective of faith, tribe, gender, political affiliation, or any other artificial line they say exists between us. “This country belongs to all of us. 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. “What is sent to local government accounts will be known, and services must now be provided without excuses,” he said.
The President said his administration instituted the suit because of its unwavering belief that Nigerians must have relief and the judgment would ensure that it would be only those local officials elected by the people that would control the resources of the people(NAN)
… Supreme Court Judgment, Setback For True Federalism – Ibori
Also, a former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori, on thursday, said that the Supreme Court judgment that granted financial autonomy to local government councils dealt a severe setback on the principles of federalism. Reacting to the Supreme Court judgment, Ibori in his X handle, said: “Supreme Court has dealt a severe setback on the principle of federalism as defined by section 162(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
“The section expressly provides thus: ‘Any amount standing to the credit of the Federation Account shall be distributed among the Federal and State Governments and the Local Government Councils in each State on such terms and in such manner as may be prescribed by the National Assembly. “Sections 6 provide further clarity on the subject matter. (6) Each State shall maintain a special account to be called ‘State Joint Local Government Account’ into which shall be paid all allocations to the Local Government Councils of the State from the Federation Account and the Government of the State.
According to Ibori “The court’s ruling on the matter is an assault on true federalism. The federal government has no right to interfere with the administration of Local Governments under any guise whatsoever. There are only two tiers of government in a federal system of government. “I’m opposed to fiddling with the allocations to the Joint LG Accounts at the state level but that in itself does not call for this death knell to the clear provisions of section 162 of the constitution”, he said.
“It is my sincere hope that the judgment delivered will be reviewed at the earliest time possible because it clearly stands the concept of federalism on its head.”,Ibori said.
… 50 Per Cent Of Nigeria’s Problems Solved –NULGE
The National President, National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Mr. Ambali Olatunji, says over 50 per cent of Nigeria’s problems will be addressed following the Local Government autonomy ruling by the Supreme Court .
Olatunji, who made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on thursday, in Lagos, was reacting to the ruling by the Supreme Court, granting LGAs financial autonomy. The Supreme Court declared that it is unconstitutional for state governors to hold onto funds meant for local government administrations.
Olatunji, who expressed joy at the ruling, described the feat as freedom and a new dawn for the country. (NAN)
… Atiku Hails Supreme Court judgment
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has welcomed the Supreme Court’s judgment affirming fiscal autonomy for local government councils across Nigeria.
In a statement released, on thursday, via X, Atiku described the ruling as “a win for the people of Nigeria” and a step in the right direction.
The Supreme Court’s decision overturns the previous practice of consolidating local council revenues into state government accounts.
Atiku criticised the earlier arrangement, stating that it was borne out of politics of hasty compromise.
Expressing his support for the ruling, Atiku said, “I align with the decision of the Supreme Court that the structure of the Nigerian government is portioned in three layers, and of these, the local governments should be centres of development.”
… Victory For Accountable Governance —Omo-Agege
Immediate past Deputy President of the Senate, Senator OvieOmo-Agege commended the Supreme Court for its judgment giving financial autonomy to the 774 local government areas in the country. In a press statement, he personally signed and made available to our correspondents in Delta, Omo-Agege described the judgment as giving the much-needed life to good democratic governance at the grassroots of our democracy and a victory for all Nigerians.
However, he said more needed to be done to make the landmark judgment more impactful.
