The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has warned the federal government against politicising local government autonomy, stressing that the recent judicial ruling on the matter must be respected and implemented without delay.
Speaking at the inauguration of the newly elected National Administrative Council (NAC) members of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Abuja, NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero stressed that local government autonomy has become a matter of law, not political discretion.
LEADERSHIP recalls that months after the Supreme Court’s ruling, granting full financial autonomy to the local government areas, its implementation has faced delays with allocations from the federation account yet to be paid directly to the LGAs.
However, addressing NULGE members in Abuja on Sunday, Ajaero cautioned against any attempt to further delay or manipulate the implementation of the Supreme Court ruling, asserting that it is not a favour granted by the government, but a legal mandate that must be upheld.
He further pledged that the NLC in collaboration with NULGE and other trade union movements would resist any infractions against local government autonomy at all levels.
“We have gotten the autonomy now. I want to plead with the federal government not to play politics with it. The release of funds to local governments should not be at the whims and caprices of government.
“Our struggle has gone beyond agitation, it is now about enforcing the law. We are not at the mercy of any governor, president or minister,” Ajaero said.
In his inaugural address, the newly elected President-General of NULGE, Comrade Aliyu Haruna Kankara, reaffirmed the union’s commitment to advocating for full local government autonomy and improving the welfare of local government workers nationwide.
Kankara vowed to fight for the welfare of local government workers and the restoration of the past glory of the local government system in Nigeria.
Outlining his administration’s roadmap, Kankara highlighted key priorities, including; strengthening local government autonomy, intensifying advocacy and engagement with stakeholders to ensure full administrative and financial independence for local governments.
He also pledged fair representation in wage negotiations, capacity building, improved welfare programmes, among others.
Kankara also paid tribute to his predecessor, Comrade Akeem Olatunji Ambali, for his transformative leadership, which he said had left NULGE more united, stable, and influential within the labour movement.
Expressing confidence in his new role, Kankara assured union members that his administration would remain transparent, inclusive, and focused on tangible progress.
He said, “By the grace of Almighty Allah and with the support of our comrades, this Union shall witness an unprecedented transformation.
“It is important to let you know that we will demand for high ethical standards, hard-work, dedication to duties and most importantly, loyalty to the Union from members of our staff at all times and our administration will not tolerate any act of misconduct that may bring disrepute to the union.
However, I promise to operate an open-door policy where staff can be free to approach me or any leader with useful information and ideas that can bring progress and development to our union”.
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