Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice Latef Fagbemi on Thursday respectively welcomed the judgment of the Supreme Court on the financial autonomy of local government councils in the country as a step that would significantly foster the growth of the nation’s democracy.
Although it was not confirmed specifically why the officials visited the presidential villa, the three officials were among the guests of President Bola Tinubu shortly after he engaged with labour union leaders over the lingering debate on a new minimum wage for Nigerian workers.
Speaking to State House Correspondents, the AGF who instituted the local government autonomy case against the 36 State Governors at the apex Court on behalf of the Federal Government explained that the majority of Nigerians are excited by the ruling, describing the development as the emancipation of the grassroots people.
“Naturally, one will be happy, should be happy, Nigerians are happy about it. I call it local government emancipation judgment because it has emancipated the local government from the shackles of the past and I hope that local government officials will look at it as an opportunity to develop their various local governments.
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The AGF said that it was now left for the State Governors to respect the intent and purpose of the Supreme Court justices or not.
“The ball is in the court of the governors, let us see what they will come out with, but the judgment is clear as to what they should do, the judgment is clear as to what consequences will attack to failure or refusal to follow the judgment of the Supreme Court, which takes immediate effect,” he noted.
In the suit, the AGF Fagbemi sought full autonomy and direct fund allocation to the 774 local governments in the country.
Also reacting to the judgment, Speaker Abbas said that it was a historical development for the country.
Abbas noted “Our members have been very happy because history has been made. This is an issue that has been before the parliament for the past 20 years. Of all the constitutional amendments so far carried by the National Assembly, one aspect has always been local government autonomy; how to make the LG work independently.”
According to him, the impossibility has become a reality, as everyone is now happy.
“We are looking forward to LG that will work functionally and that will be able to work on their own and extend goodwill to their people undisturbed by the excesses by the State Governors,” the Speaker added.
Senate President Akpabio who also lauded the apex court ruling the parliament has no option but to abide by the content of the highest court in the land.
“For us in the legislature, the Supreme Court has spoken and we have no option than to abide by the Supreme Court ruling. So, I will just call on all states of the federation to respect what the Supreme Court has done and then we will go back to the legislature and see where we can dot the i’s and cross the t’s to ensure the full implementation,” Akpabio stressed.
He continued “I think this is a great day for democracy, and I congratulate the President for this initiative. And I know that all Nigerians now know that local government administration is an arm of government meant for the grassroots and their money should be for the grassroots. Local governments can now undertake projects on their own.
“So it’s a great day for democracy and is the beginning of great things to come. For State Governors, there should be impartial elections at the local government level so that all the political parties can participate.
“At the moment there’s a lot of lethargy and nonchalant attitude by many political parties whose parties are not in power at the state level, they hardly partake in local government elections because of the perceived bandwagon effect and all that.
“So, is a great thing that the Supreme Court has done the needful, and now we have to go back and think, working with the AGF’s office and the parliament to see how we can ensure that there’s real election at the local government levels,” the Senate President noted.
