- The Supreme Court ruled that local government councils should handle their funds
- Nigerian governors voice their opinions following the Supreme Court ruling
- TheRadar compiles the reactions from state governors below
Nigerian governors have voiced their opinions following the Supreme Court's ruling, with some dismissing the judgment and others accepting it graciously.
The Court ruled that the 774 local government councils in the country should handle their funds, adding that it is unconstitutional for state governors to withhold funds allocated to local government councils.
In response to the verdict, President Tinubu stated through his spokesman, Mr Ajuri Ngelale that:
“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 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,” he further said.
Here are the reactions of some state governors to the pronouncement of the Supreme Court:
Sanwo-Olu criticises Lagos inclusion
However, before the Supreme Court's verdict, the Governor of Lagos State, Sanwo-Olu spoke at a two-day conference on judicial reforms in Lagos in May, where he criticized the inclusion of Lagos State in the Federal Government's lawsuit as a legal anomaly.
He noted that local governments in Lagos have had complete autonomy since the beginning of this democratic era. Expressing his support for the federal government, the governor suggested that the Attorney General of the Federation should have identified governors who failed to comply with the Constitution before filing a lawsuit against all states.
Some state governors have shared their opinions following the development. TheRadar compiled the reactions below.
Governor Soludo of Anambra sees the decision as great
Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra describes the judgement by the Supreme Court as “great.”
“That’s great. I mean, the Supreme Court is the final authority and I am a democrat. I believe in the rule of law. And once the Supreme Court has spoken, it has spoken. Tonight, I think the Governors Forum is meeting to review this,” he stated.
According to him, this step will free up funds for local governments and improve accountability.
He further said, “I promised the people of Anambra that we’re going to have local government election, and I stated that in my inaugural speech. We’ve just passed the Independent Electoral Commission Law of Anambra State and we’re putting together the institutions to be able to organize that. It is a promise I made and when I make a promise, I am serious about keeping it”.
What Governor AbdulRazaq of Kwara said
The chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRazaq AbdulRahman, stated that the ruling has lifted a burden from the governors, highlighting their happiness with the power devolution to local governments.
The governor said, “We welcome the ruling of the Supreme Court, compliance is given and our Attorney Generals have applied for the enrollment order, which we’ll study carefully.”
He added, “But by and large, governors are happy with the devolution of power in respect to local government autonomy. It relieves the burden on governors.”
Speaking further, he said, “Our people really don’t know how much states expend in bailing out local governments, and that’s the issue there”.
“It’s not going to affect the state we’ve never tampered with local government funds. So it’s going to continue. What the local governments have to do is to manage themselves, especially with the oncoming minimum wage, to manage their affairs and make sure salaries are paid, traditional rulers get their 5% and those are the main issues,” he added.
It’s a distraction for Oyo governor, Seyi Makinde
Oyo Governor Makinde described the judgment as a distraction and encouraged his fellow governors to focus on productivity rather than allowing the ruling to divert their attention.
He said: “There was a judgment at the Supreme Court – local government autonomy, financial autonomy and I will still say it. I think it’s just a distraction”.
“We must face the real issues that we have, and the issue that we have is that we are not producing enough; we are not productive."
He further asked, “Whatever it is we are sharing in Abuja, which is what this FAAC is all about or whatever is in Abuja ‘share it with the local governments.’ Is that our problem?”.
He pointed out, “Maybe it is a part of the problem, but yes, you want to have value for what you want to share, but our real problem is productivity.
“But now this is going to be the discussion for the next month when the issue of hunger and anger in the land will still be under the table; it’s a big issue.”
Governor Bassey of Cross River takes it in good faith
Also speaking on the Supreme Court Judgement, Governor Bassey of Cross River State said, “About the Supreme Court judgement, Nigeria is a democratic country, and we know very well that President Tinubu and the Renewed Hope Agenda is a democratic one”.
Speaking further, he said, “I believe the judgment is taken in very good faith. All Nigerians should be happy about it. I don’t think anybody is against development in the local governments. I don’t think so”.
Katsina State governor Dikko Radda wants clarification
Katsina State governor Dikko Umaru Radda, reacting to the Supreme Court's verdict on local government autonomy, has called on the federal government for clarification on the repayment of jointly taken loans by local and state governments.
Radda said, “We must carefully understand the implication of this judgement on how loans will be repaid and how the future subsidiary loan agreements will be structured”.
“These are severe areas for consideration, and it will help the federal government to clarify this and other matters arising from the judgement”.
Radda remarked that the Supreme Court's verdict on local government financial autonomy has discarded the constitutional provision for a state-local government joint account “on the basis that state governors abused the process”.
He added, “I will respectfully say that some of us try our best to manage our joint funds in a collective approach”.
However, he mentioned that he had formed a committee comprising representatives from the state, local governments, the state House of Assembly, and other experts to plan the next steps following the Supreme Court's decision.
“Are Nigerians hungry birds?” FG’s rice donation to states sparks outrage
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the federal government has donated 20 trucks of rice to each of Nigeria's 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in a bid to address food insecurity and provide relief amid economic challenges.
The gesture, intended as a form of support, had generated various reactions from the public, ranging from outrage to sarcastic banter.