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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President of the Senate Godswill Akpabio, has commended the decision of the Supreme Court on Local Government Autonomy, describing it as a victory for democracy.
He called on all states to respect the court’s verdict.
According to him, the ruling affirmed that local government administration is a distinct arm of government meant to serve the grassroots. He said it empowers local governments to undertake projects independently and ensures their funds are used for the development of their communities.
He called for synergy between the federal and state governments to work together with the legislature to ensure the full implementation of the Supreme Court’s judgment.
“We will study the ruling and collaborate with the Attorney General’s office to dot the i’s and cross the t’s for effective enforcement”, he said.
He added further, “I believe it is crucial for states to conduct impartial local government elections, allowing all political parties to participate.This will build confidence in the electoral process and strengthen democracy at the grassroots level.”
Asked his message to governors who find it difficult to conduct elections at local government level, Akpabio said: “I have seen the judgement, I will study the judgement. But at the same time I believe they should be an impartial election at the local government level so that all the political parties can participate.
“At the moment there’s a lot of lethargy and non challance Attitude by many political parties whose parties are not in power at the state level, they hardly partake in local government elections because of the perceive bandwagon effect and all that.
“So, is a great thing that the Supreme Court has done the needful and now we have to go back and think, working with the AGF’s office and the parliament to see how we can ensure that there’s real election at the LG levels. I think once that is done everybody will have confidence. Is progress for democracy and that is how it should be. So we congratulate the justices of the Supreme Court and we in the parliament are determined to make sure there’s enforceability.”
Also speaking, Speaker of House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbass, said members are very happy because history has been made.
He said: “this is an issue that has been before the parliament for the past two years, all the constitutional amendments that were so far carried by the National Assembly, one aspect of it has always been local government autonomy, how do you make the Local Government to work independently?
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“Today, that impossibility became a reality, everyone is happy and we are looking forward to an LGA that will work functionally and that will be able to work on their own and extend goodwill to their own people undisturbed by the excesses by the state Governors.”
