*President Bola Ahmed Tinubu hails the decision of the Supreme Court of Nigeria affirming the spirit, intent, and purpose of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the statutory rights of Local Government Councils to receive their funds directly from the Federation Account, tasking local council leaders on people-oriented service delivery at the grassroots

Gbenga Kayode | 绿帽献妻

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has welcome the decision of the Supreme Court of Nigeria affirming the spirit, intent, and purpose of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) on the statutory rights of Local Government Councils (LGCs) in the country.

Tinubu, who stated this Thursday, July 1, 2024, following the ruling of the Court, said that a fundamental challenge to the West African country鈥檚 advancement over the years had been ineffective local government administration.

Governance at the critical cellular level of socio-political configuration in Nigeria is nearly absent, the President declared.

绿帽献妻 reports the Supreme Court, earlier Thursday, granted financial autonomy to the 774 Local Government Councils in the country.

The Court, in the landmark judgement, has ordered the Federal Government to immediately commence the direct payment of LGCs鈥� funds to the latter鈥檚 exclusive accounts.

Justice Emmanuel Agim, reading the Supreme Court lead judgement, frowned on the age-long reported refusal of the state government on financial autonomy for local governments.

The Justice directed that the 774 Local Government Councils in in Nigeria should manage their funds themselves.

Only democratically elected local government administrations are entitled to these funds and not caretaker committees, the Court ruled.

Justice Agim also dismissed the preliminary objections of the 36 State Governors as defendants in the case.

The Supreme Court, therefore, directed that Local Government Council allocations from the Federation Account should be paid directly to them henceforth, and not to state government coffers.

According to Agim, the state governors鈥� retention of the monies meant for the Local Government Councils truncates the latter鈥檚 activities.

He ordered the immediate compliance with the judgement, declaring that no state government should be paid monies meant for Local Governments any longer.

LGC leaders should ensure people-oriented service delivery, says Tinubu

Sequel to the judgement, President Tinubu emphasised that the responsibility now rests with the Local Council leaders to ensure that the broad spectrum of Nigerians living at that level of governance are satisfied with what they are benefitting from people-oriented service delivery.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, in a statement on the Presidency鈥檚 reaction to the Supreme Court judgement Thursday, quoted Tinubu to have said: “The Renewed Hope Agenda is about the people of this country, at all levels, irrespective of faith, tribe, gender, political affiliation, or any other artificial line they say exists between us.

鈥淭his country belongs to all of us. By virtue of this judgement, our people – especially the poor – will be able to hold their local leaders to account for their actions and inactions. What is sent to local government accounts will be known, and services must now be provided without excuses.鈥�

The President also stated: “My administration instituted this suit because of our unwavering belief that our people must have relief, and today’s judgement will ensure that it will be only those local officials elected by the people that will control the resources of the people.鈥�

Commendation for Fagbemi, Attorney-General of the Federation for his 鈥榙iligence, patriotic effort鈥�

Tinubu as well noted: 鈥淭his judgement stands as a resounding affirmation that we can use legitimate means of redress to restructure our country and restructure our economy to make Nigeria a better place to live in and a fairer society for all of our people.鈥�

The Nigerian leader further observed that the provision of some essential amenities and public goods, such as the construction and maintenance of certain roads, streets, street lighting, drains, parks, gardens, open spaces, and other residual responsibilities, including community security, has tottered owing to the emasculation of local governments.

Tinubu asserted 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.

According to him, it further reinforces the effort at enhancing Nigeria’s true federal fabric for the development of the entire nation.

He applauded Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, for his diligence and patriotic effort on the important national assignment.

Tinubu added that his administration remains committed to protecting the principles of the charter governing citizens, institutions of government, arms, and tiers of government in furtherance of 鈥渂uilding an efficient and performance-driven governance system that works for every Nigerian.鈥�

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