Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Ali Ndume praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration on Friday for taking a bold step to improve the financial system of Local Government Councils in Nigeria. This action led to a significant Supreme Court ruling.
The Supreme Court ruled that Local Government allocations from the Federation Account should be paid directly to the councils. This decision marks a new era in local government funding across the nation.
Justice Emmanuel Agim, who delivered the lead judgment, declared it unconstitutional for state governors to withhold funds intended for Local Governments. He noted that for over twenty years, state governments have denied financial independence to Local Governments, misappropriating their funds instead. The court emphasized that the 774 Local Government Councils in Nigeria should manage their own finances. The court also dismissed the objections raised by the state governors.
Ndume, in a statement to the press, described this judgment as President Tinubu’s most significant achievement since taking office in May 2023. He urged President Tinubu to implement the Supreme Court’s decision immediately, stressing the importance of allowing the grassroots to benefit from good governance.
Ndume highlighted that since state governors took control of Local Government administrations using a controversial part of the 1999 Constitution, local development has stagnated. He expressed his delight at the Supreme Court’s ruling, hoping it marks the beginning of true independence for Local Governments in Nigeria.
“The action taken by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is monumental,” Ndume said. “I am thrilled about this development and hope it signals the liberation of Local Governments in Nigeria.”
He urged President Tinubu to ensure that Local Governments start receiving their monthly allocations without any delays. According to Ndume, this will allow people at the grassroots to experience the benefits of good governance.
Ndume also noted that past efforts by the National Assembly to amend the 1999 Constitution to address this issue were thwarted by state governors who influenced State Assemblies to block the amendments. He mentioned that even former President Muhammadu Buhari’s attempts to resolve the issue were unsuccessful due to the governors’ resistance.
With the Supreme Court’s decision, Ndume emphasized that the problem of unwarranted deductions from Local Government funds is now resolved. He believes that this will lead to better accountability as the Council chairmen will be directly responsible for the management of their funds. Ndume concluded by commending President Tinubu’s courage and foresight in addressing this long-standing issue.
