A former member of the House of Representatives, Sam Onuigbo, has praised President Bola Tinubu for his firm commitment to the full implementation of local government autonomy.
Onuigbo said the President’s remarks on local government autonomy demonstrate his dedication to citizens and grassroots governance.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the member representing the South-East on the Governing Board of the North East Development Commission described the president’s intervention as “timely and courageous.”
The President warned that failure by governors to honour the verdict may compel him to issue an Executive Order to ensure direct allocations from the Federation Account to local councils.
Tinubu gave the warning last Friday during the 15th National Executive Committee meeting of the All Progressives Congress at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.
The caution follows a landmark ruling by the Supreme Court on July 11, 2024, which upheld the Federal Government’s suit seeking to enforce financial independence for Nigeria’s 774 local government councils.
In a unanimous decision by a seven-member panel, the apex court declared it unconstitutional for state governments to withhold, control or manage funds meant for local councils.
Onuigbo commended Tinubu for initiating the legal process that led to the Supreme Court judgment and following it up with decisive administrative measures.
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