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From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has described the judgment of the Supreme Court on local government finances as a victory for the country’s democracy.
The ADC, in a statement by its National Chairman, Chief Ralphs Okey Nwosu, on Friday, said the judgment is a catalyst for national development.
Nwosu noted that the apex Court’s judgment which directed that local government funds should be paid directly to the councils has breathed life to the third tier of government.
According to him, “the Supreme Court ruling affirming Local Government Financial Autonomy is an unprecedented political victory for the judiciary and a clear manifestation of how each arm of government can drive development by taking principled and patriotic positions for the interest of Nigeria. It is a great outcome for our democracy and catalyst for national development.
“My party, the ADC has continued to advocate for the active participation of the local government Area councils in running our affairs as the council is the authentic grassroot leadership any nation needs to make organic progress. Total Local government autonomy, financial and otherwise are critical for grassroots development.
“I congratulate Mr President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the bold step not minding his past and the antics of state governors and some of the legislators.
“The judiciary has by this singular ruling breathed life into our local governments and vitality to all communities and persons in this country. They have also put the shameful actions of all the governors who have served for the last 21 years to an end.The governors, all of them without exception, have acted as octopuses strangulating local government and our communities’ development and in many ways debasing our democracy. “
Nwosu added that “by the time we have free local governments with five to 10 billion naira distributed to each of the 774 of them annually, the effect will be phenomenal. Some LGA councils’ performance will put many governors to shame.
” To strengthen the judgment, I further call on all National Chairmen of all other political parties that are in control of the states to call their governors to conduct Local council elections forthwith.”
