President Bola Tinubu has hailed the Supreme Court ruling on local government autonomy, stressing that there is no more excuse on on delivering the dividends of democracy to the grassroots level.
In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court of Nigeria has granted financial autonomy to local governments, declaring it unconstitutional for state governors to withhold funds meant for local government administrations.
The court’s ruling directs that funds meant for local governments be paid directly to them, bypassing state governors. This move aims to promote transparency, accountability, and ensure that resources reach the grassroots level.
President Bola Tinubu has welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision, stating that it reaffirms the statutory rights of council dwellers and ensures that local officials elected by the people will control the resources of the people, according to Daily Post.
The National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has also hailed the judgement as a victory, stating that it will bring financial integrity to local government levels and ensure that all financial transactions are tracked.
This decision is expected to address over 50% of Nigeria’s problems, including insecurity, joblessness, poverty, and infrastructural gaps. Local government chairmen now have the responsibility to provide good governance at the grassroots level without excuses.
The Supreme Court’s ruling is a significant step towards promoting grassroots development and ensuring that resources are utilized effectively to benefit the people.
Tinubu said, “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 judgement, 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.
“My administration instituted this suit because of our unwavering belief that our people must have relief and today’s judgement will ensure that it will be only those local officials elected by the people that will control the resources of the people.
“This judgement stands as a resounding affirmation that we can use legitimate means of redress to restructure our country and restructure our economy to make Nigeria a better place to live in and a fairer society for all of our people.
““I commend the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) for his diligence and patriotic effort on this important assignment.
“My administration remains committed to protecting the principles of the charter governing citizens, institutions of government, arms, and tiers of government in furtherance of building an efficient and performance-driven governance system that works for every Nigerian.”
The National Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, which has been at the forefront of the struggle for local government autonomy, said with the judgement, 50 per cent of the country’s problems had been solved.
Mr Ambali Olatunji, NULGE National President, said over 50 per cent of Nigeria’s problems would be addressed following the judgement.
“We believe that with the local government autonomy judgment, over 50 per cent of Nigerian problems have been fixed.
“Also, we hope there will be financial integrity at the local government levels and all financial transactions will be tracked.
“We will be working with anti-corruption agencies to ensure growth and development.
“So, we are happy and it is a fulfilment of long-awaited dreams and the struggle in the last 15 years has come to a victorious end,” he said.
