LG Autonomy: Save Our Democracy, NULGE Tells President Tinubu

The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently save the nation’s democracy by fully implementing the Supreme Court judgment on Local Government autonomy.

The union, rising from its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja, warned that the continued delay in implementing the judgment undermines democratic principles and deprives grassroots communities of the numerous benefits of full autonomy for the third tier of government.

NULGE President, Comrade Aliyu Haruna Kankara, who read the communiqué at the end of the meeting, said an autonomous local government system would enhance service delivery, accountability, and participatory governance—thereby addressing the pressing needs of Nigerians at the community level.

“The NEC-in-Session has appealed to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for implementing the Local Government Autonomy in Nigeria as delivered by the Supreme Court judgment over a year ago.

“This undue delay undermines the principles of democracy and denies the people at the grassroots numerous inherent benefits associated with autonomy of local government administration. It is expected that a democratic and people-oriented government should abide by the tenets of democracy and respect the rule of law.”

The NEC further urged President Tinubu to prioritise implementing the landmark judgment to demonstrate his administration’s commitment to justice, equity, and grassroots development.

On the demolition of NULGE’s national secretariat under construction at Lugbe, Abuja, Comrade Kankara lamented that the action has disrupted the union’s legitimate efforts to provide a befitting administrative infrastructure for effective service to members nationwide.

According to him, no official reason has been given for the demolition, even as the FCT Development Control denied involvement in the exercise. He alleged that military personnel supervised the operation.

“NEC-in-Session expresses deep concern and outright dismay over the recent demolition of the NULGE National Secretariat building under construction at Lugbe, Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The action has disrupted the legitimate efforts of the Union to provide a befitting administrative infrastructure for effective service to its members nationwide.

“NEC hereby calls on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory to immediately intervene and ensure redress on this matter. NEC also calls on the Chief of Defence Staff to investigate the involvement of military personnel in the demolition exercise.”

On the political crisis in Osun State, the NEC condemned the alleged seizure of local government allocations, describing it as a grave violation that has crippled grassroots governance, distorted development plans, and worsened livelihoods in the state.

It called on the federal government to intervene urgently and restore the seized funds in the interest of peace, justice, and sustainable development.