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Securing LG Autonomy Tinubu’s Biggest Achievement

Written by Jerry Alomatu on July 12, 2024

News Views: 51

Ali Ndume, Chief Whip of the Senate, has declared that President Bola Tinubu’s most significant achievement since taking office in 2023 has been securing financial autonomy for Local Governments. Ndume praised Tinubu for initiating a Supreme Court action that established a new financial regime for Local Government Councils nationwide.

In a statement released today, Friday, July 12th, 2024, Ndume described the judgment as President Tinubu’s greatest achievement since assuming office in May 2023. The Borno South lawmaker urged Tinubu to promptly implement the court’s judgment, emphasizing the need for grassroots communities to experience the benefits of good governance.

Ndume noted that state governors had previously taken control of Local Government administrations, leading to stagnation in grassroots development. He expressed optimism that the Supreme Court ruling, which mandates direct payment of local government allocations from the Federation Account, will mark the beginning of liberation for local governments in Nigeria.

Ndume also highlighted the National Assembly’s unsuccessful attempts to amend the 1999 Constitution to address this issue, which state governors blocked. He commended President Tinubu for his decisive action and called for immediate implementation to ensure accountability and proper use of local government funds.

The Supreme Court, in its judgment, declared that state governors’ withholding of funds meant for Local Government Areas was unconstitutional. Justice Emmanuel Agim, delivering the lead judgment, noted that the state government’s refusal to grant financial autonomy to Local Governments had persisted for over two decades.