Local government must get their money, Tinubu tells governors

PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has again restated his concern over the indifference of governors towards financial autonomy of the local councils in the country.

Speaking at the 14th meeting of the APC National Caucus held at the State House, Tinubu urged the governors to be flexible in their relationship and dealings with the other sub-national governments.

Checks revealed that the Supreme Court had, in a judgment in July 2024, affirmed the financial autonomy of Nigeria’s 774 local governments.

In the unanimous judgement of its seven-member panel, the Supreme Court upheld the suit brought by the Federal Government to strengthen the independence of local governments in the country.

A member of the panel, Emmanuel Agim, who delivered the court’s lead judgement, held that the local governments across the country should receive their allocations directly from the Accountant-General of the Federation.

He ruled that it is illegal and unconstitutional for governors to receive and withhold funds allocated to Local Government Areas (LGAs) in their states.

Further checks revealed that the states have since prevaricated in their compliance with the judgement.

Tinubu maintained that something must be done about enforcement of the apex court ruling as “there is no autonomy without funded mandate.”

He said: “The development in the party… this is the highest body, and you have to navigate this country. Whether we like it or not, you are in the leadership position that must yield and continue to promote, tolerate and be flexible. Get involved in whatever is happening in your various states, up to local government level.

“I had a very long discussion with the US and Europeans, I was bragging to them that definitely we will pass the state police to improve security. They asked me if I’m confident and I said yes, I have a party to depend on. I have a party that will make it happen and if at this level we fail, God forbid, we will not fail.

“I think the reconciliation, the accommodation, the flexibility, is in your hand, all of you, and we are the majority, we are the leaders.

“Let us equally look at the recent Supreme Court judgement. What can we do with it and how well we can position our country and our party.

“To me, the local government autonomy, it is and must be effective. Let us give them… There is no autonomy without funded mandate, we’ll give them their money directly. That’s the truth. That’s compliance of the Supreme Court. Take leadership seriously.”

Earlier in his opening remarks, the National Chairman of the party, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, showcased defection of high-profile politicians from the main opposition party, the People’s Democratic Party, as a significant breakthrough ahead of next general elections.

He also commended the leadership of the National Assembly whom he noted have been supportive of the party in its membership drive, a situation that has led to comfortable majority in the two chambers of the NASS.

Serving but former PDP governors who had defected to the APC in attendance at the meeting included Kefas Agbu, Peter Mbah, Douye Diri, Sim Fubara, Umo Eno and Sheriff Oborevwori, governors of Taraba, Enugu, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Delta states, respectively.

In his presentation, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, appealed to the party national leadership to ensure that those defecting to the party enjoy equal treatment and opportunities.

“The party has continued to attract leading politicians. Let me appeal to our leaders that all coming in must be given equal opportunity to thrive.”

Imo State governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Senator Hope Uzodimma, also expressed satisfaction over the membership drive of the party.

“APC controls 28 out of 36 states and overwhelming majority in National Assembly. This is national consensus and a mark of national confidence. The governors asked me to tell you that you are doing well,” Governor Uzodimma said.

The caucus also commended Tinubu for the performances witnessed since 2023. “His bold economic policies have enabled us recover lost grounds in the economy,” the caucus said.

culled from Tribune.