Last Thursday’s judgment of the Supreme Court mandating the Federal Government to begin immediate and direct payment
• Edeoga Tasks AGF, Anti-graft Agencies On Successful Implementation of local government funds to the latter’s exclusive accounts is still generating reactions from Nigerians.
Sequel to the ruling, the Chief Whip of the Senate, Mohammed Ali Ndume, on Friday, hailed the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for what he called liberation of local councils from suffocating in the hands of governors. “I urge the President to immediately commence the implementation of the court judgment. Local government councils need to start getting their monthly allocations immediately without any further delays. The people at the grassroots levels will begin to feel the impacts of good governance now.
Also, commending the judgment in a statement on Friday, the candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 governorship election in Enugu State, Chijioke Edeoga, called for what he described as “consequential guidelines” to ensure full compliance with the orders of the court. “The violation of the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by governors of Nigerian states has been going on with flagrant impunity for many years and under different administrations since 1999. Local Government Areas, recognised in the Nigerian Constitution as the third tier of government and the one closest to the people, have been deprived of the funds needed for grassroots development, thus existing at the mercy of state governors,” he stated.
“As it stands, the EFCC will not have any excuse not to be alive to its responsibilities regarding fighting corruption in local government areas. Before this landmark judgment, the immunity granted by the Constitution to state governors had occasioned delays and other forms of frustration that slowed the investigation and prosecution of cases of abuse of council funds in Nigeria.
Speaking with The Guardian in separate interviews, they commended President Tinubu for taking practical steps to deliver dividends of democracy to the grassroots, adding that the judgment would make local councils to be functional and allow Nigerians at the grassroots to have direct impact on governance.
For Adedayo, who was sacked as local council chairman for asking Governor Dapo Abiodun questions on the finances of local governments in Ogun State, the Supreme Court judgment has vindicated his struggle against how some governors administered council finances. Guwor in a telephone chat with The Guardian in Asaba, urged the Federal Government, state governors and all stakeholders to comply with the judgment.
On his part, Omo-Agege said the judgment has given the much needed life to good democratic governance at the grassroots, describing it as a victory for all Nigerians. The Director General of the group, Dr. Yinusa Ganiyu, who disclosed this yesterday, in a congratulatory letter to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, said the historic victory is a clear manifestation of the impartiality and integrity of the judiciary and its institutions.
“The high legal acumen and sound professionalism you demonstrated throughout this challenging legal battle are exemplary. Your strategic and peaceful restructuring initiatives, conducted within the ambit of democratic ethos and the rule of law, have set a new benchmark for legal excellence and governance in Nigeria,” he said.
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