Delay In LG Autonomy Injurious To Workers, Development – NLC

Says govs’ action, contempt of S’Court judgement, accuses LG chairmen of conspiracy  |  Confusion as states, labour unions shift blame

Despite the Supreme Court’s verdict mandating full LG financial autonomy, actual implementation across Nigerian states varies widely, investigations by LEADERSHIP Weekend have shown.

While states like Jigawa and Bayelsa claim full compliance, others like Kogi, Nasarawa, and Ogun show hesitance, often citing various obstacles like governors’ control, lack of political will on the part of the federal government and entrenched corruption.

But as the efforts to alter the constitutional continue, stakeholders agree that autonomy must go beyond legal pronouncements to include transparent, independent financial structures for the third tier of government.

 

Absence Of LG Autonomy Injurious To Workers, Development — NLC

Expectedly, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed grave concern at the continued delay in the implementation of the Supreme Court ruling granting full financial autonomy to local government areas, describing the situation as highly injurious to Nigerian workers and the economy as a whole.

The NLC’s latest remark has added to growing pressure on the federal and state governments to urgently implement the Supreme Court ruling and restore credibility to Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.

Labour noted that the delayed implementation of local government autonomy has a direct and adverse impact on workers’ salaries, pension and job security.

Speaking to the LEADERSHIP Weekend, NLC’s head of information and public affairs, Comrade Benson Upah, said the delay not only undermines the welfare of local government workers but also reflects a disturbing disregard for judicial authority in the country.

“From day one, we took all necessary steps to have the ruling implemented because it was something we had fought for all along.

‘‘The delay in implementation is highly injurious to workers and the economy. It will also affect development at the grassroots. The delay also underscores the contempt in which judicial authority is held,” he said

LEADERSHIP had reported that one year after the landmark Supreme Court judgment, implementation has stalled with the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and  civil society organisations accusing the state governors of trapping local governments funds and frustrating the implementation.

However, the organised labour said that it remains undeterred and is prepared to escalate its advocacy and engagement to ensure that the ruling is respected and enforced.

“We will not rest on our oars, with the Supreme Court ruling as our added anchor, we could throw in everything, boots and all,” Upah added.

Responses from across the country indicate that while several local governments appear to enjoy relative financial autonomy, there is still delay in implementing the Supreme Court judgement.

 

DELTA

Local governments in Delta State have been enjoying autonomy long before the Supreme Court judgement. The Governor Sheriff Oborevwori administration was augmenting local government funds long before the apex court ruling on financial autonomy.

Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the governor, Sir Festus Ahon, stated that as part of a deliberate effort to enhance their liquidity, the administration supported LGAs to expeditiously source a N40 billion credit facility to clear pension arrears owed to primary school teaching and non-teaching staff as well as other retired staff of the local governments in the state.

Again, all the 25 local government areas in Delta State submitted their financial reports to the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF). This emerged at the Federation Account Allocation Committee Technical Sub-Committee meeting where Delta State councils were said to have filed the financial reports to OAGF.

 

Kwara

We Are Still Waiting For FG – ALGON

In Kwara State, the local government chairmen said they were looking up to the federal government for the actualisation of the local government autonomy.

The publicity secretary of ALGON in the state and chairman of Ifelodun local government area, Hon. Femi Yusuf said the council administrators are set for the implementation of the local government autonomy once the federal government gives them the go ahead.

“It’s the federal government that secured the Supreme Court judgement on the issue of local government autonomy and we are looking up to it to clear whatever is hindering the implementation of the local government autonomy.

“On the issue of opening bank accounts with the CBN, the councils cannot take any actions on this until the federal government does the necessary clearance,” Yusuf said.

The chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Kwara State, Comrade Olayinka Murtala blamed both the federal and state governments for the delay in the implementation of local government autonomy.

ANAMBRA

We’re Implementing Full LG Autonomy–Commissioner

The Anambra state government has said that it has complied with the implementation of local government autonomy as ordered by the Supreme Court.

The state Commissioner of Information, Dr. Law Mefor, who stated this in exclusive interview with LEADERSHIP Weekend, said that all the 21 local governments in the state receive their allocations monthly directly from the federation account.

He also said that the local governments have their internally revenue generation sources like motor-parks and sanitation levies.

“This is why our Mayors (local government council chairmen) are now carrying out capital projects in their local governments. For instance, I am aware that the Mayor of Idemili-North local has constructed some roads in the area because they have access to funds”, Mefor said.

When contacted, chairman of Idemili-North local government, Hon. Stanley Nkwoka confirmed that he and his colleagues receive allocations directly from the federation account.

 

IMO

 Top Politicians Impeding LG Autonomy

The NLC chairman Imo State, Comrade Chigemezu Nwigwe advised the governors to display sincerity in the implementation of the local government autonomy.

He alleged that some governors appear to enjoy the present scenario thereby jeopardizing the development of the local government areas.

“We must display sincerity of purpose in our dealings. A situation where the executive and top politicians benefiting from the system stand as impediment to the implementation of LG autonomy is most unacceptable.”

The chairman ALGON Imo State, Hon. Ikenna Adikibe  revealed that mechanism has been put in place to actualise the implementation of the local government autonomy across the 27 council areas of the state.

He made this known while interacting with LEADERSHIP Weekend.

According to him, they have kicked off the processes through opening operational accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Hon. Adikibe stressed that they are expectant that soonest the needful will be made available to the various council areas.

 

Ekiti

 Confusion Over Implementation of LG Autonomy

There is confusion over the implementation of local government autonomy in Ekiti state, with conflicting positions on the path of state government and an official of the local council area.

The state Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Chief Folorunso Olabode had told LEADERSHIP Weekend in Ado Ekiti that local councils in the state had always been autonomous.

Olabode said, “We don’t really have issues with the financial autonomy. The local government areas in Ekiti state are autonomous in terms of their finances and due process is always followed in their spending”.

But an officer in the Finance and Administrative department of one of the local government areas of the state who preferred anonymity said the process of the council autonomy implementation is yet to be effected.

He said that they are still expecting audited report from the state Auditor General to be able to act on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) instruction to open an account in a commercial bank for the allocation  be to paid directly into their coffers.

When contacted, the state president of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Comrade Oluseyi Babatunde said the national leadership of the body had barred them from commenting on the implementation of local government autonomy.

Also, some LG chairmen in the state, who were called on phone to comment on the issue, including Hon Ojo Oluwasegun, the chairman Ekiti East LGA who doubles as the  state ALGON chairman,  declined comments.

The chairman of Oye LGA, Hon. Bamisile Adesola, was asked to speak on the issue, and she replied with: “Please, don’t ask me a meaningless question” and switched off her phone.

 

Osun

Lack of local government administration in Osun State is the major hindrance to the implementation of local government autonomy in the state

Recall that local government secretariats across the state have being under lock and key since February 2025 following the crisis rocking the state on who should be in charge of governance in the third tier of government in the state.

Already, the federal government had put an embargo on the release of funds from the federation account to local governments in the state.

The National Union of Local Government Employee (NULGE) Osun state chapter had since February2025 issued a stay-at-home order to workers at the third tier of government in the state following the unresolved legal tussle between the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the leading opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).

The elected political officers from the two political parties are claiming the right of governance, thereby causing a deadlock in local government administration in the state.

A recent attempt to release fund to a faction led to an outcry particularly from the labour union which demanded due process in the release of funds to local governments across the state.

 

 State/LG Joint Account Still Operational – NLC

Although Governor Umo Eno had at different fora stated his administration commitment to the full implementation of the autonomy across all the 31 local government areas of Akwa Ibom state, LEADERSHIP Weekend gathered the oil-rich state still operates the State/LG Joint Account through whixh governors seize the allocations of local councils.

Even though many of the councils had adhered to the CBN directive to open account with it for direct transfer of their accrued monthly allocations, an official of the Etim Ekpo council, who does not want his name mentioned, disclosed that “the governor is still in-charge of what each Council gets at the end of the month.”

“Right now, no Council is allowed to execute big projects, pay Council workers their emoluments or undertake primary healthcare funding because funds for capital projects are not included in what is given to us at the end of every joint account meeting,” a Councilor in Ibesikpo Asutan LGA, explained.

Corroborating these disclosures, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Sunny James, frankly said: “The local government chairmen are not ready to fight for their rights; it simply appears they are contented with what they are currently getting from the state government.”

He recalled that the Council Chairmen had in the last dispensation taken the Federal Government to Court, insisting they were comfortable staying under the financial stranglehold of state.

Speaking to LEADERSHIP Weekend, James said: “When I wanted to take up the struggle, I was told to mind my business. The Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Elder Udeme Otong, simply told me to hands off, that what I was trying to pursue was not within the purview of my mandate – to fight for workers’ welfare.”

“So for now, I don’t know whether half of the autonomy has been implemented, not to talk of full implementation of the policy since the Supreme Court decision on the matter,” he stressed.

 

‎ABIA

‎State legislation on LG funds in place

LEADERSHIP Weekend’s finding indicated that the Abia State government dodged the verdict on autonomy of local government through a legislation by the State House of Assembly.

‎The law, both Governor Alex Otti and the speaker of the House, Emma Emeruwa, have  argued, is in line with the Supreme Court verdict and can therefore stand together..

Their position is, if left alone, there’re aspects of the local governments’ responsibilities they can’t fund, hence the need for financial collaboration between the state and them.

‎But a local government unionist described “the law as a facade. It emasculated and extended the authority of the government over the local government.”

 

Enugu: Supreme Court judgement being operated

Some local government officials who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed ongoing implementation of the court judgement on local governments autonomy in Enugu.

 

 NIGER

In Niger State, the government said it was not averse to any of the plans to ensure the autonomy of local government councils but the National Union of Local Government Employees NULGE in the state said there was no political will by the federal government to implement it.

The NULGE Leader in the state Idris Abdukarim Lafene said because there was no political will, the presidency had shifted the date of full implementation of the autonomy.

“Now we heard that the Presidency is waiting for a report from the EFCC before they start the full implementation of the autonomy,” he said.

Similarly, the ALGON chairman and chairman of Agwara Local government, Hon Iliyasu Zakeri, said they have no knowledge of opening any account other than the ones they have been operating.

“The local government in Niger State will always be run based on the laws and provisions of the constitution;  for us  we have had our autonomy,” he said.

 

 JIGAWA

LGs Enjoy Financial Autonomy

Local Government Councils in Jigawa State have enjoyed financial autonomy long before the recent Supreme Court ruling mandating it nationwide.

Comrade Abubakar Garba Shitu, Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Jigawa chapter, confirmed:

“We don’t have problems with local government autonomy, even though the court verdict allows states to still have a say in LG administration.”

He explained that councils in Jigawa receive their allocations and remit all statutory deductions in accordance with state law. He noted that the national NULGE President had cited Jigawa as one of the few states truly implementing local government autonomy.

Similarly, Professor Salim Abdulrahman Lawan, Chairman of the Association of Local Government Councils of Nigeria (ALGON) in Jigawa and head of Gwaram LG, affirmed:

“Local government autonomy is not an issue in Jigawa; it’s already in practice.”

He credited Governor Malam Umar Namadi’s belief in the rule of law and equitable development:

“Our Governor gives us full independence to fulfil our campaign promises. He has never interfered—directly or indirectly—with how LG funds are spent.”

The autonomy has enabled councils to execute projects tailored to local needs.

“Each LG has its own peculiar needs; the state only provides policy guidance,” he added.

 

EBONYI

It’s Inhuman to Eye LG Funds – Gov Nwifuru

We are still assessing the situation  – NLC Chair

Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, pledged full implementation of LG financial autonomy, stating:

“It is unnecessary and inhuman for anyone to abandon state allocation and be putting eyes on LG funds.”

While praising the Supreme Court’s decision, he expressed some reservations: “I agree with the judgement in many areas, but I have concerns in others. We’re still studying it. Personally, I support democratically elected chairmen—it’s good for Nigeria.”

A former NLC state chairman, speaking anonymously, alleged that governors have long sabotaged efforts for LG autonomy: “Under Buhari, we tried to implement autonomy, but the governors frustrated it. They’re too interested in the allocations.”

He added that council chairmen remain powerless, as they can be dismissed by governors.

A serving council chairman also confirmed they were still awaiting gubernatorial directives to open bank accounts:

“There’s a CBN directive to open accounts, but we’re waiting to be on the same page with the Governor.”

Current NLC State Chair, Comrade Oguguo Egwu, said the union is still assessing the situation.

 

KEBBI

Autonomy Yet to Materialise

In Kebbi, autonomy remains theoretical. Although allocations are disbursed monthly, they’re handled via joint accounts through the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

ALGON State Chairman and Birnin Kebbi LG Chair, Alhaji Dahiru Ambursa, confirmed:

“We receive our allocations from the state via joint accounts.”

Asked why funds don’t come directly from the federation account, he deferred to the Office of the Accountant General.

NLC Chairman Comrade Murtala Usman blamed governors’ non-cooperation:

“After the Supreme Court ruling, we tried to halt joint account sharing—it proved abortive. The issue is federal and state-level resistance.”

 

KOGI

Still Preparing for Full Implementation

Kogi State has yet to fully implement LG autonomy. None of the 21 LGs have opened the required independent bank accounts to receive direct federal allocations.

However, the state government has shown signs of commitment.

Auditor-General for LGs, Hon Yakubu Siyaka Adebenege, gave assurance during a recent induction, saying: “We are prepared to implement full autonomy.”

The State House of Assembly has also passed a bill to abolish joint accounts, aligning with constitutional reforms post-Supreme Court ruling.

Yet, insiders claim real change is pending.

“The state opened a central account for LGs instead of letting each open its own. That contradicts the Supreme Court ruling,” said a local staffer.

 

BENUE

“No Real Autonomy Without Representation” – ALGON Chair

Benue ALGON chairman, Maurice Orwough, argued that LG autonomy has not been fully realised nationally.

“You cannot give autonomy without direct funding or representation at the Federal Executive Council,” he said.

He said LGs lack a liaison with the federal government: “ALGON has no representative at FEC. Is that autonomy?” he asked.

Governor Hyacinth Alia, he noted, partially implements autonomy by crediting LG funds via the joint account.

“We use some of the money to fight insecurity, with the state government’s help.”

 

BAYELSA

“Autonomy Fully Practised” – Deputy Governor

“Reality is More Complex” – NULGE Chair

Bayelsa State Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo maintained that the state supports LG independence.

“LG autonomy is in full practice. No one is contesting it. We supervise only to ensure grassroots development,” he said.

He insisted that Bayelsa complied long before the 2024 Supreme Court ruling.

However, NULGE Chairman Comrade ThankGod Singer offered a less optimistic view.

“The court ruling won’t change much here. Councils are already solvent and active, thanks to state reforms,” he said.

Still, critics argue that real autonomy exists more on paper than in practice.

 

ZAMFARA

Corruption, Insincerity Hindering Progress

In Zamfara, NLC and NULGE leaders cite corruption and dishonesty as key barriers.

NLC State Chair, Comrade Sani Halliru, said:

“Corruption and insincerity are the root causes of autonomy failures. We need reform before it can work.”

He referenced ongoing constitutional review discussions within the Northwest zone as a hopeful step.

NULGE State Chair, Comrade Sanusi Yunusa Gusau, agreed:

“Each state must have an Accountant General for LGs who can represent them at the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC). Without this, autonomy won’t function.”

 

OGUN

Government Officials Silent on Implementation Delay

Despite the Supreme Court’s order, Ogun State remains non-compliant. Officials have largely avoided media comments, allegedly fearing reprimand.

Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun, Kayode Akinmade, initially promised to respond after consulting the LG Service Commission but later became unreachable.

NLC State Chairman Comrade Hameed Ademola-Benco blamed legislative apathy:

“This non-implementation isn’t unique to Ogun. It seems the idea was copied from the Governors’ Forum.”

 

NASARAWA

Joint Account Still in Use, Workers Underpaid

In Nasarawa, LGs have yet to open accounts with the Central Bank to directly receive federal allocations.

NULGE Chair Comrade Adamu Sharhabilu said: “Joint accounts are still in use. LGs can’t pay full salaries, and workers don’t receive minimum wage.”

He criticised manipulated council elections, saying: “Governors decide who becomes LG chairmen. Those elected are loyal and won’t challenge them. How can autonomy work in that setting?”

He also revealed: “Governors still buy vehicles for emirs and chiefs – responsibilities that should belong to the councils under autonomy.”

Due to multiple deductions, from emirs’ allowances to training levies, LGs are struggling financially:

The balance left after deductions can’t cover 100% of the new wage,” he said.

A senior official in the Ministry of Local Government claimed the state had abolished the joint account, stating: “There’s a dedicated account now, and LGs operate independently.”