Members of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria and the National Union of Local Government Employees have urged for the enforcement of the Supreme Court’s decision on local government autonomy.
The Supreme Court ruling in July 2024 granted financial autonomy to local governments, directing that their allocations should be paid directly to them.
However, six months later, the autonomy is yet to be implemented due to alleged interference by state governors.
The Secretary-General of ALGON, Mohammed Abubakar, expressed concerns over the delay in implementing the autonomy.
Abubakar highlighted the complications surrounding the autonomy issue and the reported influence of governors on local government chairmen, hindering the autonomy process.
He emphasized the need for the President to ensure the Accountant-General and Attorney-General of the Federation facilitate the achievement of financial autonomy for local governments.
Similarly, the President of NULGE, Hakeem Ambali, reiterated the President’s authority to enforce the autonomy and expressed optimism for the direct allocation to local governments.
In response to inquiries, the Special Assistant to the President on Communications clarified the roles of the Attorney General’s Office, emphasizing the Finance Minister and the Accountant General of the Federation’s responsibility in implementing the financial autonomy.