Members of the House of Representatives, under the G60 opposition lawmakers group, have commended the Supreme Court’s ruling on financial autonomy for local governments. The court declared on Thursday that it is unconstitutional for state governors to withhold funds allocated to local government administrations.
The seven-man panel, led by Justice Emmanuel Agim, ruled that the 774 local government councils in Nigeria should manage their funds independently. The court emphasised that governmental powers are divided into three levels: federal, state, and local government.
READ MORE: Supreme Court affirms local government autonomy, orders direct allocation of funds
Furthermore, the court declared that state governments have no authority to appoint caretaker committees, asserting that only democratically elected local government councils are constitutionally recognised. The judgment stated that using caretaker committees allows state governments to control local governments, violating the 1999 Constitution.
Reacting to the ruling, the opposition lawmakers, in a statement signed by their spokesperson, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, hailed the Supreme Court, describing the ruling as a victory for democracy.
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They agreed with the court’s assessment that state governments are perpetuating a dangerous trend by refusing to allow democratically elected local government councils to function, instead appointing loyalists who can be removed at will.
The lawmakers stressed the importance of local governments receiving and managing their funds, highlighting that autonomy is crucial for promoting grassroots democracy and self-rule among Nigeria’s diverse interests. They commended the federal government for its commitment to granting independence to local governments, stating that this move will benefit the people by ensuring that their immediate affairs are managed locally rather than dictated by central authorities.
This landmark ruling marks a significant step towards strengthening democratic governance at the grassroots level, empowering local councils to operate independently and fostering self-governance across Nigeria.
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