President Bola Tinubu welcomes the decision of the Supreme Court affirming the spirit, intent, and purpose of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the statutory rights of local governments.
The President in a statement made available by his spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, states that a fundamental challenge to the country’s advancement over the years has been ineffective local government administration, as governance at the critical cellular level of socio-political configuration is nearly absent.
The President emphasises that the onus is now on local council leaders to ensure that the broad spectrum of Nigerians living at that level are satisfied that they are benefitting from people-oriented service delivery.
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The President affirms that the decision of the Supreme Court to uphold the constitutional rights and ideals of local governments as regards financial autonomy, and other salient principles, is of historic significance and further reinforces the effort to enhance Nigeria’s true federal fabric for the development of the entire nation.
President Tinubu commends the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN for his diligence and patriotic effort on this important assignment.
Meanwhile, Anambra State, Charles Soludo says the Supreme Court is the final authority and as a democrat, he believes in the rule of law.
The Governor was reacting to the judgement by the Supreme Court granting local governments financial autonomy.
Speaking to Journalists after a meeting with President Tinubu on Thursday, Soludo explained that Governors were meeting on Thursday night and will review the matter.
Speaking on President Tinubu’s statement that only elected local government chairmen will access resources, Soludo promised that when the lingering litigation that stopped local government elections in the past in Anambra State is resolved, his government will organise local government elections as appropriate.
The Supreme Court declared on Thursday that it is unconstitutional for State Governors to hold funds allocated for local government administrations.
The seven-man panel, in the judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim, declared that the 774 local government councils in the country should manage their funds themselves.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
