Senate President Godswill Akpabio has called on state governors to honor the recent Supreme Court ruling granting autonomy to Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.
His appeal came following a landmark judgement declaring it unconstitutional for governors to control funds allocated to local governments.
Delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the Supreme Court’s ruling emphasizes the autonomy of local government councils to manage their finances independently.
Akpabio, speaking after meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja, stressed the legislature’s commitment to implementing the court’s decision.
“We have no option than to abide by the Supreme Court ruling,” Akpabio stated.
He urged governors to conduct impartial elections at the local government level, encouraging broader participation by political parties.
Echoing Akpabio’s sentiments, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas described the judgement as a realization of long-held aspirations for local government autonomy.
Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi hailed the judgement as an “emancipation” of local governments, urging local officials to seize the opportunity to develop their communities.
He emphasized the clarity of the Supreme Court’s directive for governors to comply with the ruling, which takes immediate effect.
The statements underscore a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s governance landscape, marking a significant shift towards empowering local governments to operate independently and undertake developmental projects.
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