President Bola Tinubu has hailed the Supreme Court’s judgment affirming the constitutional rights of local governments, emphasizing its critical role in advancing effective governance at the grassroots level.
In a statement released on Thursday, Tinubu highlighted the importance of the judgment, describing it as a reaffirmation of the Constitution.
The statement was signed by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.
He noted that ineffective local government administration has been a significant obstacle to national progress, with governance at the grassroots level nearly non-existent.
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“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 judgment, 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,” Tinubu said.
Also read: Supreme Court upsets states’ apple cart in Local Govt Autonomy
He emphasised that the onus is now on local council leaders to deliver people-oriented services, ensuring that Nigerians at the grassroots feel the impact of governance.
He also expressed confidence that the judgment would allow local officials elected by the people to control local resources transparently and effectively.
“My administration instituted this suit because of our unwavering belief that our people must have relief and today’s judgment will ensure that it will be only those local officials elected by the people that will control the resources of the people,
“This judgment 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,” the President stated
Tinubu pointed out that the provision of essential amenities and public goods has been hampered due to the weakening of local governments.
He commended the Supreme Court for upholding the constitutional rights of local governments, particularly regarding financial autonomy.
He further described the decision as historic and a significant step towards strengthening Nigeria’s federal structure for national development.
Tinubu also praised the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), for his diligent and patriotic efforts in this critical legal battle.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has hailed the Supreme Court judgement granting financial autonomy to local government administrations.
Speaking to journalists at the State House, Abuja after a meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with Speaker Tajudeen Abbas; the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi and other senior government officials,
Akpabio congratulated President Bola Tinubu for his initiative, stressing that the ruling marks a significant milestone in the country’s democratic journey.
“Recall that the request was placed before the courts by the AGF because the federal government, through President Bola Tinubu, feels strongly about separation of powers and the need for autonomy of all arms of governments, so for us in the legislature, the Supreme Court has spoken and we have no option than to abide by the Supreme Court ruling.
“I will just call on all states of the federation to respect what the Supreme Court has done and then we will go back to the legislature and see where we can dot the i’s and cross the t’s to ensure the full implementation because you know the words of the Supreme Court are like the words of the king, they cannot go down to the grown without implementation.
“So I think this is a great day for democracy, and I congratulate the President for this initiative. I know that all Nigerians now know that local government administration is an arm of government meant for the grassroots and their money should be for the grassroots. Definitely, local governments can now undertake projects on their own. So it’s a great day for democracy and is the beginning of great things to come”, he said.
He expressed optimism that the Supreme Court’s decision will boost confidence in the electoral process and lead to greater democratic progress.
The Senate President praised the justices of the Supreme Court for their landmark ruling and reiterated the parliament’s commitment to ensuring enforceability.
Speaker Abbas expressed the delight of members of the lower chamber over the judgement.
He described the ruling as a historic moment, culminating from two years of efforts by the National Assembly to ensure local government independence through various constitutional amendments.
He also described it as a victory for the legislature and the nation, paving the way for functional local governments that can serve their people without interference from state governors.
Abbas expressed optimism that the ruling will enable local governments to extend goodwill to their constituents, unhindered by the excesses of state governors. The House of Representatives welcomes this significant milestone in Nigeria’s democratic journey, he added.
20 States with Caretaker Committees
Twenty states have resorted to governing the local governments through caretaker committees set up by the State Government.
This is contrary to Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which guarantees the system of local government by democratically elected officials.
Caretaker committees have become a prevalent practice in different states across the federation, and are fast replacing local government councils.
Factors fingered for the inability of many States to conduct council polls include insecurity, paucity of funds as well as political and legal battles.
Thursday’s ruling by the Supreme Court declaring that it is unconstitutional fo Governors to hold funds allocated for local government administrations further raised the question of how LG helmsmen are routinely sacked from office and replaced with Caretaker Committees.
States running local governments with caretaker committees
Rivers – Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubaraappointed caretaker committees for the 23 local government areas as he continues his battle with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, for the control of the political structure in the oil-rich state.
2. Jigawa – On June 28, 2024, the government of Jigawa State dissolved the elected council chairmen of the 27 local governments.
3. Anambra – On June 20, 2024, Governor Charles Soludo, through the House of Assembly, confirmed the appointment of transition committee chairmen and councillors for the 21 local government areas.
4. Zamfara – In Zamfara, the last grassroots poll was held on April 27, 2019, and the State returned to appointees after the chairmen’s tenures expired. In May 2024, the Assembly approved a six-month extension for the caretaker committee.
5. In Benue, however, elections are scheduled to be held on July 6, 2024, for LG council chairmen.
6. Bauchi – Last year, Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, sworn in 20 appointed local government area caretaker committee chairmen with their deputies.
7. Plateau – June 2023, Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau inaugurated the Interim Transition Committee chairpersons for its 17 local government areas at Government House Jos.
8. Abia – In December 2023, Abia Governor Alex Otti, inaugurated the 17 local government transition council chairpersons.
9. Enugu – In March 2024, Enugu State Government ordered local government chairmen in the 17 councils to hand over administration to heads of personnel management after the expiration of their tenures.
10. Katsina
11. Kano – In March 2024, Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State recommended names of Interim Management Committee members for Local Government Areas of the state to its House of Assembly for screening and confirmation.
12. Sokoto
The extension was subsequently secured for the caretaker chairmen, vice chairmen, scribes and their members’ fresh six months tenure, beginning in February and ending in August 2024.
13. Yobe – In April 2024, Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, approved the dissolution of all the 17 local government councils of the state, and also directed all local government chairmen to handover the affairs of their respective local governments to Directors of Personnel Management.
14. Ondo – Ondo State Government also constituted Caretaker Committees for the 18 Local Councils and 33 Local Council Development Areas, (LCDA).
15. Osun – In February 2024, Osun Assembly extended the tenure of office and re-appointed caretaker committees of 30 Local Government Areas and 39 others running Modakeke Area Office and Local Council Development Areas in the state.
16. Delta
17. Akwa Ibom – Governor Umo Eno last year through a letter with reference number GHU/AKS/S/104/VOL.1/607, addressed to the Speaker, Hon. Udeme Otong, informed the House of Assembly that there was no provision in the 2023 budget for the conduct of local government elections.
Later, the Assembly passed a resolution authorising him to set up interim administration at the 31 local government areas at the expiration of the tenure of the elected council officials.
18. Cross River
19. In Imo State, the last council poll was conducted on August 25, 2018, which was the first in seven years.
20. In Kwara State, the last council election was in November 2017 with caretaker committees in charge since 2020.
