Supreme Court Declares Governors’ Control Over Local Government Funds Unconstitutional
In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court of Nigeria has declared it unconstitutional for state governors to hold onto funds meant for the 774 local government areas (LGAs) in the country. The court ruled that the control of LGA funds by state governors is a violation of the Constitution and ordered that funds from the Federation Account be paid directly to LGAs.
The ruling came in response to a suit filed by the Federal Government against the 36 state governors, seeking full autonomy for the LGAs. The government argued that the governors’ practice of retaining and using LGA funds on their behalf was unconstitutional and undermined the autonomy of local governments.
Justice Emmanuel Agim, delivering the judgment, stated that “the control of LGA funds by state governors is a clear violation of the Constitution and must be stopped forthwith.” He added that the court’s decision was aimed at ensuring that LGAs receive their funds directly and are able to carry out their functions without interference from state governors.
The ruling has been hailed as a victory for local government autonomy and a step towards greater accountability and transparency in the management of public funds. Many have criticized state governors for using LGA funds to finance their political ambitions and for failing to provide basic services to the people at the grassroots level.
Reacting to the ruling, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, stated that “this decision is a significant milestone in our quest to ensure that local governments are able to fulfill their constitutional mandate of providing basic services to the people.” He added that the Federal Government would work closely with the LGAs to ensure that they receive their funds directly and are able to carry out their functions effectively.
The ruling is expected to have far-reaching implications for local government administration in Nigeria. With LGAs now set to receive their funds directly, there are hopes that this will lead to improved service delivery and greater development at the grassroots level. However, some analysts have expressed concerns that the ruling may lead to a power struggle between state governors and LGAs, as the governors may seek to find ways to maintain control over the funds.
As the dust settles on this landmark ruling, many Nigerians are hopeful that it will usher in a new era of local government autonomy and accountability. With the Supreme Court’s decision, the stage is set for LGAs to take control of their own destiny and work towards the development of their communities.
