BREAKING: Supreme Court grants autonomy to all local governments in Nigeria
2 min read
BREAKING: Supreme Court grants autonomy to all local governments in Nigeria
By Joy Richardson
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has granted full autonomy to the country’s 774 local governments, a decision hailed as a significant victory for local governance. The ruling mandates that the federal government must directly pay allocations to local government councils from the federation account, bypassing state governments.
A seven-member panel of justices delivered the judgment, highlighting that state governments had been abusing their powers by withholding funds meant for local councils. This decision follows a lawsuit filed by the Federal Government, represented by Attorney General, Lateef Fagbemi, which sought to ensure that local governments operate democratically and independently.
The ruling prevents state governors from dissolving democratically elected local councils and forming caretaker committees, a practice that has undermined local governance. Instead, local governments will now manage their own finances and administrative functions, fostering greater accountability and efficiency in addressing local needs.
President General of the National Union of Local Government Employees, Comrade Ambali Akeem Olatunji, praised the judgment as a well-deserved triumph for local government workers and Nigerians at large.
He expressed his gratitude to the Supreme Court for upholding the constitutional provisions that recognize local governments as a distinct tier of government in Nigeria.
This decision is expected to usher in a new era of financial and administrative autonomy for local governments, enabling them to fulfill their constitutional mandate without undue interference from state governments.
It marks a critical step towards enhancing grassroots development and ensuring that local councils can effectively serve their communities.
