ABUJA (Sundiata Post) – President Bola Tinubu has welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision affirming the constitutional rights of local governments in Nigeria.
The Supreme Court ruled that it is unconstitutional for state governors to hold onto funds meant for local government councils. The court ordered that local government funds be paid directly to the councils, bypassing the state governors.
In a statement issued by Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu said the ruling would enhance Nigeria’s true federal structure and ensure local officials are held accountable to the people they serve. He noted that ineffective local government administration has been a fundamental challenge to the nation’s advancement.
The President stressed that the onus is now on local council leaders to ensure the broad spectrum of Nigerians at the grassroots level benefit from people-oriented service delivery.
He said federal government instituted the lawsuit because of the belief that the people must have relief, and the judgment affirms that legitimate means can be used to restructure the country.
“The Renewed Hope Agenda is about the people of this country, at all levels, irrespective of faith, tribe, gender, political affiliation, or any other artificial line they say exists between us. This country belongs to all of us. By virtue of this judgement, our people – especially the poor – will be able to hold their local leaders to account for their actions and inactions. What is sent to local government accounts will be known, and services must now be provided without excuses.
“My administration instituted this suit because of our unwavering belief that our people must have relief and today’s judgement will ensure that it will be only those local officials elected by the people that will control the resources of the people. This judgement stands as a resounding affirmation that we can use legitimate means of redress to restructure our country and restructure our economy to make Nigeria a better place to live in and a fairer society for all of our people,” President Tinubu stated.
Tinubu commended the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, for his diligence and patriotic effort on this important assignment.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting the principles of the constitution and building an efficient governance system that works for every Nigerian.
