Follow Us on Google
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The Acting Director-General of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Abdulateef Shittu, has declined to comment on Federal Government’s dragging the 36 state governors to the Supreme Court over alleged mismanagement of local government administrations, stating that since the issue is already before the Supreme Court, it would be “subjudice” to speak on it.
The Federal Government, represented by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, had filed a suit marked SC/CV/343/2024 at the Supreme Court.
The suit seeks to secure full autonomy for all local government areas (LGAs) in the country, which are constitutionally recognised as the third tier of government.
The Federal Government alleged that state governors have been engaging in “unilateral, arbitrary and unlawful dissolution of democratically elected local government leaders.”
This, it argues, is a violation of the constitutional provisions that guarantee the autonomy of local governments.
In the suit, the Federal Government is also seeking an order from the Supreme Court to ensure that funds standing to the credit of local governments are directly channeled to them from the Federation Account.
This is in contrast to the current practice where state governments are alleged to have created “unlawful joint accounts” that give them control over local government finances.
The outcome of this legal battle could have far-reaching implications for the relationship between the federal, state, and local governments, as well as the overall governance structure in Nigeria.
