Atiku hails FG decision on LG allocation, praises Supreme Court judgment

Former Vice President of Nigeria and 2023 Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has praised President Bola Tinubu for securing local government autonomy.

This follows the recent Supreme Court verdict in a case initiated by the Tinubu administration.

In a post on his X handle, Atiku Abubakar stated, “The judgment of the Supreme Court earlier today affirming fiscal autonomy to local government councils in the country is a win for the people of Nigeria.”

He described the ruling as a significant step towards national development, noting that the previous decision by the Federal Government to consolidate local council revenues into state government accounts was politically motivated and detrimental.

“The court’s ruling is a step in the right direction and a major corrective action in greasing the wheels of national development across the country,” Atiku added.

He emphasized that the Nigerian government is structured in three layers, with local governments serving as critical centers of development.

Atiku also advocated for fiscal autonomy to extend beyond revenues from the Federation Accounts to include Internally Generated Revenue from local government authorities.

The former PDP presidential candidate highlighted that many states, particularly those in “ultra-urban areas” with high economic activity, have been hindering local councils from generating revenue from sources such as motor parks, outdoor advertising, and rents.

Atiku concluded by affirming that the Supreme Court’s verdict aligns with its core function as an arbitrator among governments, marking a pivotal moment for local governance in Nigeria.