FG Urged To Implement LG Autonomy’s Judgement For Nat’l Devt 

The federal government has been urged to put the necessary measures in place towards ensuring all State Governments comply strictly with the judgement of the Supreme Court granting financial autonomy to all local governments across the federation.

The National Chairman, Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees NULGE, Comrade Aliyu Haruna Kankara who made the call in Abuja, said if the autonomy granted is fully implemented it would go a long way in addressing the agelong  challenges confronting those at the grassroots.

Aliyu, who was represented by the National Organizing Secretary NULGE, Comrade Olamisoji Tolulope emphasized the need to  implement the supreme court judgement to tackle problems ranging from primary health care, education, security and to promote participatory governance and inclusivity for all.

On his part, Director Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, Dr. Sam Amadi said the Apex court’s decision to permit the federal government to withhold allocations from unelected Council’ chairmen has sparked a lot of reactions warning that while the judgement aligns with public expectations, it also raises constitutional concerns that must be addressed through proper legal reforms.

Also speaking, Mr Kolawole Banwo, Head of Advocacy, Policy and Communications, described the current judgement as giving power to local governments with one hand and taking it back with the other.

He explained that the joint local government accounts and the high influence by state governors have crippled the financial independence of local governments.

Kolawole, however, called for reforms that guarantee democratically elected councils to secure four years tenure and have access to federal allocations in line with the supreme court’s judgement.

The convener of the Forum, Dr Cosmos Ilechukwu, the general overseer of the Charismatic Renewal Ministries CRM, and Deputy President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria PFN, said the conversation was timely considering that local governments are the tier of government closest to the people.

He added that development was essential and supposed to begin from the grassroots for everyday development ranging from potable water, rural electrification, education, security, and organized infrastructural development.

Dr Ilechukwu stressed that the supreme court judgement in favour of local government autonomy was a welcomed development but called on political leaders at the federal and state levels to implement it for nation-building.

According to him, they can only function effectively if allowed to operate independently.

Earlier, the former Chairperson, Abuja Municipal Area Council Amb. Mrs Esther John Audu who condemned the age long and numerous challenges bedeviling those at the grassroots called for stringent measures by the federal government to fully implement the Judgement of the supreme court towards ensuring everyone at the grassroots is given a sense of belonging.

She however commended President Tinubu’s led administration, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN in their efforts geared  towards ensuring those at the grassroots function effectively to contribute their quota to national development.

The theme for this year’s National Dialogue Forum is ‘Local Government Autonomy: Making it work.’

Garry Ochigbo, Edited By Grace Namiji