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Nigerians have reacted to the Supreme Court order that the allocations standing to the credit of the 774 local government areas in Nigeria in the federation account be “henceforth paid directly” to their respective accounts by the federal government.
The Supreme Court had given its verdict following the federal government’s suit which sought to stop the governors of 36 states from spending or tampering with 20.6% allocation from the federation account to local government areas, among other reliefs targeting LG autonomy.
In its lead judgement read by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the apex court scolded the decades-long refusal of the state government on financial autonomy for local governments.
The apex court ruled that it is illegal and unconstitutional for governors to continue to receive and seize funds allocated to LGAs in their states.
He dismissed the preliminary objections of the defendants (state governors).
Prominent Nigerians shared their views on the reasoning and powers of the apex Court to intervene in disputes between the federal government and the states.
Supreme Court verdict on LG autonomy
In the suit marked SC/CV/343/2024, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (AGF), Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), argued that in the face of the clear provisions of the 1999 Constitution, the governors have failed and refused to put in place a democratically elected local government system even where no state of emergency has been declared to warrant the suspension of democratic institutions in the state.
Samuel Nwanosike-Immediate past Rivers LG Chairman
Dr. Ben Odori-Board Chairman, States Attorney General
Johnson Usman-Borno State AG
Osita Okechukwu-Former VON DG
Source: Swiftradio.com
