Supreme Court ruling is emancipation to local Govt, says AGF Fagbemi

Kunle Sanni

The Attorney-General of the Federation, (AGF), and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi has described the Supreme Court ruling as an emancipation to the local government.

“Naturally, one will be happy, should be happy, Nigerians are happy about it. I call it local government emancipation judgement because it has really 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,” Fagbemi said on Thursday.

Delivering judgment in the suit on Thursday, a seven-member panel of justices held that state governments have continued to abuse their powers by retaining and using the funds meant for LGAs.

The apex court also ordered the federal government to withhold allocations of LGs governed by unelected officials appointed by the governor.

Western Post Online had reported President Bola Tinubu described the recent ruling by the Apex Court as welcoming. He said the decision affirms the spirit, intent, and purpose of the Constitution of Nigeria on the statutory rights of local governments.

Addressing State House reporters at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Fagbemi who spoke on the implementation of the ruling said the ball is in the court of the state governors.

In the past, controversies have surrounded the financial autonomy of local governments. Many policy experts have urged the federal government to free local government administrators from what they describe as the shackles of state governors.

Former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration had signed an executive order granting financial autonomy to local governments. However, the order was not duly followed by some state governors.

Fagbemi urged the state government’s conduct elections for government areas.

“Part of it requires that state government’s conduct elections for government areas. How are we going to ensure compliance?

“The ball is in the court of the governors, let us see what they will come out with, but the judgement is clear as to what they should do, and the judgement is clear as to what consequences will attack failure or refusal to follow the judgement of the Supreme Court, which takes immediate effect.