Ahead of the submission of the report on the Supreme Court ruling concerning Local Government Area (LGA) autonomy, Nigerian state governors have begun lobbying against its enforcement. The 10-member inter-ministerial committee, led by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, is set to submit its findings by October 13, 2024.
The Supreme Court, in July 2024, ruled in favor of financial autonomy for the 774 LGAs in Nigeria, stating that it is unconstitutional for governors to control funds meant for the councils. This ruling followed a 2019 Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit regulation that limited cash withdrawals by LGAs and banned transactions on State and Local Governments Joint Accounts.
Despite the court's ruling, state governors, through the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, have resisted its enforcement, pressuring officials to delay the process. The Federal Government, however, remains committed to upholding the judgment, with President Bola Tinubu promising to ensure the autonomy of local governments as part of his administration’s political reforms.
READ ALSO
PDP Rejects Edo Governorship Results, Alleges APC Vote Rigging in Contentious Election
Akintoye Urges Southwest Governors to Declare Yoruba Unity Day Amid Rising Insecurity
The inter-ministerial committee, including key officials like the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, and Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, aims to finalize the necessary steps for implementing the autonomy. Civil society organizations, including the Centre for Accountability and Open Leadership (CACOL) and the United Global Resolve for Peace (UGRP), have urged the Federal Government to resist attempts by governors to delay or block the process.
As the submission date for the committee’s report approaches, the pressure from governors to stall the implementation remains intense, but the Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the ruling, which would empower LGAs to function without state interference.
