The Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Ali Ndume has expressed his admiration for President Bola Tinubu’s administration in liberating local governments in the country.
Ndume commended Tinubu for taking legal action at the Supreme Court which resulted in the landmark judgment that has brought about a new financial regime for local governments councils nationwide.
In a deciding ruling on Thursday, the Supreme Court ordered that local government allocations from the Federation Account should be paid directly to the councils, thereby bypassing the control of state governors.
The apex court’s decision was deemed necessary, as it was unconstitutional for governors to withhold funds meant for local government areas.
Justice Emmanuel Agim, delivering the lead judgment, highlighted that the financial autonomy of local governments had been denied for over two decades.
State governors had been diverting funds meant for local councils for years, depriving them of the resources needed to carry out their duties effectively.
The decision of the Supreme Court has mandated that the 774 Local Government Areas in Nigeria manage their funds independent of the state governments.
The court dismissed the objections raised by the state governors, asserting the importance of upholding the constitutional rights of local governments.
Ndume, in his statement, described the judgment as President Tinubu’s most significant achievement during his tenure.
He urged Tinubu to promptly implement the court’s decision without any further delays, emphasising the need for the benefits of good governance to reach the grassroots level.
The senator lamented the lack of meaningful development at the local government level due to the control exerted by state governors, who relied on a controversial section of the 1999 Constitution.
He expressed the hope that this court pronouncement would mark the beginning of the liberation of local governments in Nigeria.
The lawmaker also acknowledged the efforts made by the National Assembly and President Muhammadu Buhari to address this issue through constitutional amendments.
However, the resistance from governors prevented any progress until now.
He further stated that with the Supreme Court’s judgment, deductions from local government funds are expected to cease.
He said this will allow the people to hold their council chairmen accountable for the judicious use of monthly allocations, fostering true accountability and development at the grassroots level.
Senator Ndume concluded by commending Tinubu for his courage in pursuing the matter and expressed optimism for a future where local governments can thrive and serve their communities effectively.
